Review #222: Bomberger’s Precision Fine Grain (2025)

MASH BILL: undisclosed

AGE: NAS

PROOF: 100.2

COST: MSRP $140 for 750mL bottle (I’m reviewing a sample)

Bomberger’s Precision Fine Grain (PFG) was a new release for Michter’s in 2025 and sounds like it will be a reoccurring release on some frequency. The PFG name is derived from the barrel finishing that this bourbon went through. As Michter’s states, “After full maturation, the Kentucky Straight Bourbon is removed from the first barrel and placed in a second new, custom, proprietary toasted and charred French fine grain oak barrel of the most exacting specifications.” These barrels are toasted for a specific amount of time before being charred at a select specification. The finishing barrel is a blend of French oak staves originating from renown old oak forests such as Tronçais, Allier, Nevers, and Vosges. All staves are dried outdoors for a minimum of 40 months in France before being used to construct the Bomberger’s PFG barrels.

Well…I do love me some French oak finished whiskey! After reading the details on this though, I feel like this bottle is too hoity-toity for me. Pinkies out!

Reviewed neat in a Glencairn.

APPEARANCE: Dark sherry color (1.8), simple syrup in appearance with teardrop shaped legs.

NOSE: Oh shit…this is lovely! Big cherry note right away has me salivating. Caramelized demerara sugar adds additional aromatic sweetness with a slight earthiness. Speaking of earthy notes, warm spices, toasted vanilla, and dark chocolate give me Mexican hot chocolate vibes. I also get a slight herbaceous note at the tail end. This is a robust nose that starts off with rich sweetness but has a nice earthy layer of spices and dark chocolate.

PALATE: A surprisingly light mouthfeel. Lots of barrel character shows up right away on the palate with toasted vanilla, sun soaked seasoned oak, and cocoa powder. Rye spice and toasted cinnamon sticks starts off soft but continues to grow well into the finish. Dried cranberries and blackberries and a touch of cherry syrup add a concentrated fruity sweetness. I get a slightly tart or acidic note that makes me think of citric acid without the fruit. Dark chocolate, burnt marshmallow, and a dried leaf earthiness as we go into the finish.

FINISH: Long, tannic finish with a touch of lingering sweetness. The dark chocolate and cinnamon stick from the palate transition over to the finish and combine with heavily charred oak and burnt vanilla bean. A touch of caramelized brown sugar and charred orange peel with a lingering craisin note.

RATING: 8.5/10

OVERALL: The profile of the French oak finishing barrel definitely showed up throughout this sip with great chocolate notes, rich fruit sweetness, and lots of vanillin notes. There was a lot of complexity with this whiskey, but the nose excelled with huge red fruit sweetness and paired with that awesome Mexican hot chocolate profile. However, the palate and finish didn’t quite live up to the promise of the nose for me. That big cherry note on the nose was basically a tease. That said, tons of barrel character on the palate and finish and still well deserving of the excellent rating it gets! Also, again, how in the hell does Michter’s pack so much flavor in these lower proof expressions!? The only thing I can figure is it has to be largely in part due to their low barrel entry proof.

The PFG finishing casks certainly brought more complexity to this Bomberger’s whiskey while not taking away from the red fruit sweetness and bed of spice that it usually has for me. I really enjoyed this and hope I can get my hands on a bottle for the next iteration of this label.

1 | Disgusting | see my 1/10 ratings

2 | Poor | see my 2/10 ratings

3 | Bad | see my 3/10 ratings

4 | Sub-par | see my 4/10 ratings

5 | Good | see my 5/10 ratings

6 | Very Good | see my 6/10 ratings

7 | Great | see my 7/10 ratings

8 | Excellent | see my 8/10 ratings

9 | Incredible | see my 9/10 ratings

10 | Perfect | see my 10/10 ratings

Check out all my reviews: Woodgrain & Whiskey.