Compare
Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Knob Creek 9 Year
Comparing Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Knob Creek 9 Year reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | Knob Creek 9 Year |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$35 – $40 ~$13 less |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Knob Creek 9 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Knob Creek 9 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/7 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the 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 with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year).