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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 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 | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$8 less | ~$65 – $75 |
- 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
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
spice 8/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
heat 7/9 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture at a slightly 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).