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Buffalo Trace vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Comparing Buffalo Trace and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +35 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$39 less | ~$65 – $75 |
- Buffalo Trace and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/9 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- 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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
- 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, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).