Compare
Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 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 | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).