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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$16 – $22).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$16 – $22 ~$31 less |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/5 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).