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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$20 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a lower price point.
- 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, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).