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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Put Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish next to Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +29 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$45 – $55 ~$60 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/7 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- 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.
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 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.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).