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Evan Williams Black Label vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Comparing Evan Williams Black Label and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$14 – $18 vs. ~$90 – $130).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$94 less | ~$90 – $130 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish).