Michter’s Small Batch US*1 Straight Bourbon Review
In-Depth Review
Michter’s remains a bit of an unsung hero in the American whisky space. Despite being named the 2024 Most Admired Whiskey in the World – it seems to still struggle to gather mainstream appeal. Strategically positioned as a smaller, more employee driven brand, its core range is topped by some extraordinary bottles. How about a 25-year single barrel, anyone? What about their 20 year? While those bottles remain at the upper echelon on enthusiasts wish lists, the average drinker seems to be more enamored with Jim, Jack, or Buffalo Trace than what’s coming out of the Shively Distillery. And while Michter’s has a rumored production capacity to produce around 1 million gallons a year, when you compare to Jim Beam’s rumored at 26.5 million, it feels like Michter’s is still the small brand on the block.
But beating to their own drum feels intrinsically linked to the power of the Michter’s brand. They never see to shy away from making decisions that drive home distinctness of their brand. For example, instead of using the industry standard 125 barrel entry proof, Michter’s believes in filling their barrels at 103 proof – which they argue leads to better flavors. And while the flavor improvements can be debated, what is true is that by filling to 103 proof, they are getting fewer bottles out of every barrel than the competition.
So how do choices like that translate to what they put into the bottle? To find out, we are going to dive into one of their entry offerings, their no-age stated small batch Kentucky straight bourbon they call US*1 Bourbon. It comes in at 45.7% ABV (a very unusual ABV) and is blended using a maximum of 20 barrels (this is batch 24H3091). Retailing around $40 in Los Angeles, is this a solid entry point into the Michter’s brand – or should you splurge a bit for their more premium offerings? Let’s dive in and find out.
Age: Non-Age Stated
ABV: 45.7%
Cask: New oak
MSRP: Around $40
Distillery Name: Michter’s Distillery
Review Date: 8/10/25
Color: Medium Amber
Nose: The nose starts off surprisingly fruity, with lots of blackberry jam, stone fruits, sour cherries, and black currant. Underneath the fruit notes is a solid layer of oak that gives off the impression of age. Its nose is rich and features just a touch of ethanol burn. It rewards those who stick their nose right up in the glass – with more depth than you might expect from an entry level pour.
Palate: On the palate, there’s candied apple, muscovado sugar, with a burst of acidity coming from a light citrus note and a heavy dose of Werther’s Originals. On the first few sips, it comes off as dark and brooding but also a bit thin – it’s only major flaw. There’s clearly so much possibility here, but it’s held back by something. Perhaps the low proof? A few younger barrels thrown in? You can taste the Michter’s DNA trying to reach its full potential, but it never quite gets there.
Finish: The finish ranges anywhere from short to medium with a burst of flavors that fizzles out before leaving a nice tart finish. The finish is more earthy notes like damp leather, and old wood, accented by an herbaceous touch. It reminds me of a dusty warehouse in summer - a subtle lingering heat covered in dusty oak.
Final Thoughts: Michter’s Small Batch Straight US*1 Bourbon is a great, solid, value pour for those looking to be a bit different. It provides more flavor, more fruit, and a better nose than almost anything in this category and consistently provides a very crushable drinking experience. My only major complaint is that it can feel a bit thin at times – but certainly reminds you how good this can be at full barrel strength (you can check out that review here). And after recently reviewing the Rebel 10-year single barrel (different whiskies, clearly) I would rather reach for this 9/10 times. Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon remains a solid choice for those who are looking to expand outside of the typical Jim Beams, Buffalo Trace, or Four Roses options. This bottle shows that if you choose to go Michter’s you will certainly be rewarded – even at this price point.
