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Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Comparing Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$75 – $200 vs. ~$65 – $75).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | 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 | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +5 proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$65 – $75 ~$68 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
heat 9/9 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
- 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 Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon.
- 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 at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).