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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Uncle Nearest 1856 are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (91.4 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| 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- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/7 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).