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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Michter's US*1 Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Michter's US*1 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +20 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$45 – $55 ~$32 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Michter's US*1 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/3 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth.
- 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).