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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Barrell Foundation Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus a sourced, rye-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | Barrell Foundation Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$5 less | ~$50 – $60 |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Barrell Foundation Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon).