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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Four Roses Small Batch Select and Willett Pot Still Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +10 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$45 – $60 ~$8 less |
- 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
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- 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 Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle with more proof behind it.
- Go with Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).