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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Penelope Toasted Series
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Penelope Toasted Series sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, rye-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 ~$13 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/7 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 at a lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).