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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Comparing Eagle Rare 12 Year and Michter's US*1 Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$50 – $80 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Michter's US*1 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +4 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$45 – $55 ~$15 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year and Michter's US*1 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak.
- Go with Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).