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Ancient Age vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Put Ancient Age next to Willett Pot Still Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$37 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- Ancient Age and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).