Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon Whiskey / 2025
The Stats
- Distillery: Michter’s Distillery
- Location: Louisville, KY
- Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Age: Undisclosed
- Proof: 108 (54% ALC/VOL)
- Mash Bill: Undisclosed
- Finish: Chinkapin Oak
- Release: 2025 (Limited Release)
- Price: $110–120
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Bomberger’s Declaration picks up where Shenk’s leaves off. In the 1800s, after John Shenk’s distillery changed hands, it reemerged under the Bombergers’ name, an identity it carried into the industrial age until Prohibition shut the doors. Today, Michter’s resurrects that history with an annual Bomberger’s release: darker in tone, bolder in design, and decidedly more forceful in the glass.
The 2025 Bomberger’s comes in at 108 proof and carries the official title of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. It’s finished in chinkapin oak, a rarer choice of cooperage that infuses the base distillate with spice, chocolate, and earthy character. Side by side with Shenk’s, Bomberger’s is the heavy hitter of the pair, offering more oak, more proof, and more punch.
A Legacy with Muscle
This year’s Bombergers show why the name still matters. Rich fruit, chocolate, maple sweetness, and bold oak combine to form a whiskey with presence; complex yet never muddled. The chinkapin oak finish adds earthy spice and staying power, giving the bourbon a finish that lingers long after the sip.
Bomberger’s may share lineage with Shenk’s, but it carves its own place in the Legacy Series as the bolder, stronger sibling. For those who want history with heft, this year’s release makes its case loud and clear.
Tasting Notes
Aroma:
Dark fruit, berry compote, vanilla, and maple sugar layered with chocolate, oak, and hints of tobacco. A richer, denser nose than Shenk’s, with spice woven throughout.
Taste:
Full-bodied and oak-driven. Maple syrup, molasses, and brown sugar lead, followed by dark fruit and chocolate. The chinkapin oak adds spice and earthy depth, while the higher proof gives the whiskey structure and intensity.
Finish:
Long, warming, and robust. Oak, chocolate, and dark fruit stretch out on the back end, leaving a lingering spice that keeps the palate engaged.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
8 / 10 - Very Good
Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 is the bolder sibling in the Legacy Series. Rich with maple, chocolate, and oak, it drinks like a classic Kentucky bourbon dialed up a notch, with the chinkapin oak finish adding spice and earthy depth. At 108 proof, it strikes the sweet spot, offering a warm and structured profile without overwhelming heat.
Compared to Shenk’s, it’s more layered, more powerful, and more memorable. It feels like the “main event” in the Legacy Series, while still being priced within reach for a limited release.
Comparable bottles: Fans of Old Forester 1910, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, or Michter’s Barrel Strength Bourbon will find themselves right at home with Bomberger’s. It shares their boldness but carries its own twist with the unique oak finish.
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SOCIAL CLUB: WHISKEY OF THE MONTH Sample Pack Giveaway
We’re giving away a 2oz sample of Shenk’s Homestead AND Bomberger’s Declaration (2025 Releases), plus a couple of surprise pours we think you’ll enjoy.
Paid Social Club members are automatically entered.
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