Compare
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is age (12 years vs. 4 years).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig 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 | 12 years +8 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$65 – $75 ~$15 less |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year does 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
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
heat 9/9 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with an older age statement.
- 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 lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).