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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Willett Pot Still Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$90 – $130 vs. ~$45 – $60).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +3 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$45 – $60 ~$58 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/6 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).