Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ... vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023: Budget vs Premium Rye arrives with the quiet confidence of a spirit that knows its own worth.
Is the premium price tag really worth it? We compare Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ... ($0.01) against Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023 ($120750.00) to find out whether spending more actually means drinking better.
This is a matchup every whiskey enthusiast faces at the store shelf. We'll break down nose, palate, finish, and value so you can make an informed choice.
Specifications at a Glance
| Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ... | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Whiskey Thieves | is allocated these days |
| Type | Rye | Rye |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 41.5% ABV) | 54.45% ABV) on average, sample bottle was 109 |
| Price | $0.01 | $120750.00 |
| Rating | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Nose
Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ...: Notes of maple and evergreen mingle with aromas of dried citrus rind, brown sugar, and pecans.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023: Like a dessert, sweet aromas of candied pecans and cherries explode from the glass. After letting it breath I get that distinctive rye note. The alcohol is present but doesnt overpower the glass. I found hints of mint, char, and smoke hiding with rich oak. The sweet notes are still present but now a bit more caramel forward. Its a complex nose that doesnt overpower.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ...: Warm flavors of vanilla and sassafras with hints of honey, wintergreen, and malted milk balls. Finish is a mix of smooth malt and rye spice that linger on the back of the tongue leaving a hint of caramel and cooking spices.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023: A burst of rye spice comes forward with touches of mint we get the earthy tones famous to rye without stunning the senses. The mid palate has more of the sweet notes from the beginning. I found caramel, bananas foster, dark cherries, and a hint of licorice to round it out. The finish is long as the high proof clings to the palate. The spice comes back to blend with the sugars of the mid palate.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ...: Comments: 83 proof (41.5% ABV)
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023: Comments: 108.9 proof (54
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
When it comes to value for money, Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ... offers significantly more bang for your buck at $0.01 compared to Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023's $120750.00.
The significant price gap between these two makes value an especially important factor in this comparison.
The Verdict
This is a genuinely close call. Both Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ... and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023 have their strengths, and picking a clear winner depends entirely on what you value most in a whiskey.
We'd recommend trying both if you can. Each has qualities that make it worth a pour.
Read the Full Reviews
- Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ... – Full Review
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023 – Full Review
Final Reflections
Sagamore Spirit Penny’s Proof Maryland Straight Rye 2022 ... vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023: Budget vs Premium Rye is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
