Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 was released as a limited production bourbon in July. In 1753, Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded Shenk’s distillery in Pennsylvania. This distillery was later renamed Bomberger’s Distillery in the 1800s before its name changed again to Michter’s Distillery in the mid-20th Century.
This 2025 release of Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon is aged in Chinquapin (Quercus muehlenbergii) oak, a species of of native North American white oak. This year’s release uses barrels wherein the wood has been naturally air dried and seasoned for different periods of time before undergoing an exact toast and char specification.
The spectrum of barrels used have been seasoned for 18 months, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years thus changing the chemistry of the oak’s contribution during aging.
Bourbon Review: Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 Release
Batch: 25E1907
Bottle: 2431 of 2438
ABV: 54% (108 Proof)
Age: NAS (At least 4 Years)
Mash Bill: Not Disclosed (At least 51% corn)
Distillery: Michter’s Distillery
Location: Louisville, KY (USA)
The Nose: A wonderfully complex nose rises from my generous pour on a brisk afternoon with temperatures in the mid 50s. Sitting in the shade it’s even cooler as the glass envelopes my senses with brown sugar, molasses, berries and caramel. Subsequent pulls see vanilla, oak and corn.
The Taste: The first sip sees a lot going on for such a small sip. There are berries, vanilla and roasted coffee beans before an explosion of heat that gives this bourbon a higher proof feel. A secondary sip sees some thick raspberry jam and salted caramel with some more vanila and a touch of chocolate. A third sip while writing the conclusion to this review made me circle back as sour apples were added to the mix of flavors offered up by this pour.
The Finish: Bold. This one hits you like a sucker punch with its sweet complex notes giving way to a haymaker of 108 proof greatness. The front end of the finish sees vanilla giving way to chocolate that has been baked into a pastry. The chocolate lingers well past the finish with some oak, honey and leather.
Conclusion: Bomberger’s is an allocated bourbon that is going to be hard to find but this is something worth the chase. It’s something newer bourbon drinkers could enjoy as the flavors are easily identifiable and the seasoned bourbon drinker will get lost in the incredible complexity. To be honest, I bought this bottle for the rarity to have on my shelf. I will however now choose to keep the liquid gold hidden out of the eye of my freeloading friends. To quote Daffy Duck, “It’s mine, you understand? Mine, mine! All mine! Go, go, go! Mine, do you hear me? Out, out, out! Mine, mine, mine! Go away! There’s only enough for me!”
Score: 98
Price: $119.99 (750ml)
