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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Old Forester Statesman
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$50 – $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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/7 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).