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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Comparing Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$65 – $75 ~$12 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
heat 7/9 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth without hunting for it.
- 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 slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).