Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Michter's US*1 Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Michter's US*1 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $55 |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).