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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Put Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish next to Old Forester 100 Proof 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 | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$26 – $32 ~$81 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
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Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).