Every year, there are a handful of whiskey releases that immediately capture my attention. The annual Michter’s Legacy Series is always near the top of that list. While some limited releases rely on clever marketing or flashy packaging, Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey and Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon continue to earn their reputation by delivering something genuinely different in the glass. However, I am always surprised that these two whiskeys do not get more buzz.
Although these two bottles come from the same distillery and arrive together each year, they are remarkably different whiskeys. They also celebrate one of the oldest stories in American whiskey, a history that stretches back more than 270 years.
A Story That Began in 1753
Long before the Kentucky Bourbon Trail existed, Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk established a distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1753. Many whiskey historians consider it one of America’s earliest commercial distilleries. During the Revolutionary War, local tradition even holds that General George Washington purchased whiskey from the distillery to help supply his troops at Valley Forge. While that story remains part of the distillery’s lore, there is no question that the operation became one of the country’s earliest whiskey producers.
Ownership eventually passed to Abraham Bomberger during the nineteenth century, and the distillery became known as Bomberger’s Distillery. In the 1950s, owner Lou Forman created the Michter’s name by combining portions of his sons’ names, Michael and Peter. Unfortunately, like much of the American whiskey industry during the 1980s, the original Pennsylvania distillery struggled financially and ultimately closed in 1989.
How Michter’s Came Back
The Michter’s we know today is not simply a continuation of the old Pennsylvania distillery. Instead, current president Joseph Magliocco acquired the abandoned Michter’s trademark during the 1990s and rebuilt the brand in Kentucky with a simple philosophy: make the finest American whiskey possible without cutting corners. That commitment to quality helped transform Michter’s into one of the most respected names in bourbon and American whiskey. Their location on Whiskey Row is well worth the visit. As I mentioned in the video, they sell every drop they distill.
To honor each chapter of the original distillery’s history, Michter’s introduced its Legacy Series. Shenk’s Homestead recognizes founder John Shenk, while Bomberger’s Declaration pays tribute to Abraham Bomberger, whose ownership helped shape the distillery’s next era. Rather than simply recreating old recipes, each annual release allows Michter’s production team to experiment with different grains, barrel seasoning techniques, oak species, and maturation methods. No two years are exactly alike.
Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey
Shenk’s is perhaps the more unusual of the two releases because it is classified as a Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey rather than a bourbon or rye. That classification gives Michter’s greater flexibility with its mash bill and barrel program.
The current release continues that tradition with a fruit-forward profile supported by caramel malted barley. French oak from the Vosges Forest and specially seasoned American oak add layers of baking spice, toasted caramel, and rich sweetness, making this whiskey incredibly approachable without becoming overly sweet. This year’s release is special.
At 91.2 proof, Shenk’s leans toward elegance rather than power. It rewards slow sipping and reveals new aromas as it opens in the glass.
Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon
Bomberger’s takes a completely different approach.
Unlike Shenk’s, Bomberger’s is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottled at 108 proof. The higher proof immediately delivers more intensity, but the real story lies inside the barrel.
Michter’s continues to use Chinquapin oak, which has become one of Bomberger’s signature characteristics. For the newest release, the production team also incorporated Hungarian oak, creating additional layers of dark chocolate, cherry, baking spices, and toasted oak. The result is a bourbon with impressive depth and a finish that seems to last forever.
For bourbon drinkers who enjoy bold flavors and rich oak influence, Bomberger’s is often the bottle that leaves the bigger impression. However, not so fast.
Comparing the Two Shenk’s Homestead vs. Bomberger’s Declaration
After tasting both side by side, I don’t think this is a question of which whiskey is objectively better. Instead, it comes down to what you enjoy drinking.
Shenk’s feels brighter, softer, and more fruit-forward. The rye influence creates complexity without overwhelming the palate, and the French oak contributes a refined elegance that reminds me why Michter’s continues to experiment with wood management.
Bomberger’s is darker and more concentrated, with a dry note that explains the additional wood influences. The higher proof brings more body, while the specialized oak program creates layers of dark fruit, cinnamon, and toasted caramel. It drinks like a whiskey built for experienced bourbon enthusiasts who appreciate complexity and structure.
My choice for these two releases in 2026 would be Shenk’s. This is a surprise as I am typically a huge Bomberger’s fan.
If I wanted a whiskey to introduce someone to the Michter’s Legacy Series, I would likely pour Shenk’s first.
Final Thoughts
One of the reasons I continue looking forward to these releases every year is that Michter’s never treats them as routine annual products. Each edition reflects new ideas from Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson while remaining connected to a history that began in colonial America.
Whether you prefer the refined layers of Shenk’s Homestead or the bold an unique palate of Bomberger’s Declaration, both bottles demonstrate why Michter’s remains one of the industry’s most respected producers.
If you happen to find both on the shelf at retail, I would not hesitate to recommend either one. If you only have room in your budget for one bottle, your palate should guide the decision. Lovers of elegant, fruit-forward whiskey will probably gravitate toward Shenk’s. Bourbon fans who appreciate higher proof and deep oak character will likely find Bomberger’s impossible to resist.
For me, that is exactly what makes the Legacy Series so enjoyable. Every year offers something familiar, but never exactly the same.
