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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
W.L. Weller 12 Year and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +8 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +35 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$65 – $75 ~$55 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/9 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
spice 2/6 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 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.
- W.L. Weller 12 Year: Twelve years on a wheated mash at a modest 90 proof, which is the combination that made this bottle famous. Deep caramel and baked fruit with polished rather than aggressive oak — the closest widely-discussed analogue to the Pappy profile.
- 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 W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase 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 at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).