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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$50 – $55 ~$58 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 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.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).