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Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
On paper Elijah Craig Small Batch and Willett Pot Still Reserve are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$45 – $60) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$21 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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 Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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 Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).