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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Old Grand-Dad 114
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Old Grand-Dad 114 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 Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +23 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Old Grand-Dad 114 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/9 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
heat 3/8 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 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 Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
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 Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).