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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 6 years +2 yr |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +19 proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$50 – $55 ~$18 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
fruit 6/8 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).