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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Evan Williams Black Label
Comparing Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Evan Williams Black Label is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$90 – $130 vs. ~$14 – $18).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +5 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$14 – $18 ~$94 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish does 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.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).