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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Buffalo Trace
Comparing Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Buffalo Trace reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +35 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$28 – $35 ~$39 less |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
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 with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).