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Old Forester Statesman vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$18 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 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/9 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight 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, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).