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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Put Elijah Craig Small Batch next to Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +31 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$39 less | ~$65 – $75 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/9 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 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.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
- 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 Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
- 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 (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).