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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Old Forester 86 Proof and Michter's US*1 Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$27 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
- 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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
- 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 cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).