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Basil Hayden’s vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +45 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$29 less | ~$65 – $75 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Basil Hayden’s and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/9 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year: Willett's own young distillate at full barrel proof. It is loud and sweet, all caramel corn, pastry and citrus, with a lot of heat for a four-year bourbon. Proof varies by batch.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass at a lower price point.
- Go with Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year if you want a young, hot, barrel-proof pour that shows off Willett's own distillate with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).