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Old Grand-Dad Bonded vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Comparing Old Grand-Dad Bonded and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Grand-Dad Bonded | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% 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 | ~$24 – $30 ~$43 less | ~$65 – $75 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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 Grand-Dad Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Grand-Dad Bonded Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/9 heat: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
spice 8/6 spice: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded: A bonded 100-proof high-rye bourbon for the price of a mixer, and one of the great bargains on the shelf. Cleaner and less overwhelming than the 114 while keeping the peppery rye backbone.
- 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 Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money 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, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).