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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Old Forester 100 Proof and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 ~$41 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
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base 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 with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).