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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Old Forester 100 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | 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 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$26 – $32 ~$21 less |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch 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 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 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 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.
- 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 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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).