Single barrel rye bottled at whatever proof the barrel deliverstypically between 107 and 112 proof. What sets Michter’s apart is the barrel entry proof: just 103 proof, well below the industry norm. Lower entry proof means the spirit interacts more directly with the wood from day one, producing a richer, more full-bodied whiskey. Each barrel is unique, and each release reflects that barrel’s individual character. The Barrel Strength Rye program launched in 2015 and has become one of the most sought-after limited annual releases in American whiskey.