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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Stagg
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +39 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$45 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/10 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 5/9 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat (Stagg).