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Four Roses Small Batch vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Put Four Roses Small Batch next to Willett Pot Still Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, corn-forward craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 ~$18 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
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
- 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 if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a lower price point.
- 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, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).