Compare
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Buffalo Trace
Comparing Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Buffalo Trace is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$90 – $130 vs. ~$28 – $35).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$28 – $35 ~$79 less |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).