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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Michter's US*1 Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | 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 | 120 proof (60% ABV) +29 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Michter's US*1 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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 Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 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 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 Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
- 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, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).