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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +9 proof |
| 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
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Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).