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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 120 proof (60% ABV) +29 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$60 less | ~$90 – $130 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish do not publish an official mash bill.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 Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- 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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost without hunting for it.
- 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 neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish).