Compare
Knob Creek 9 Year vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Comparing Knob Creek 9 Year and Michter's US*1 Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Michter's US*1 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +9 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 ~$13 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Knob Creek 9 Year and Michter's US*1 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the 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 Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a lower price point.
- Go with Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).