Compare
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Comparing Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$65 – $75 vs. ~$75 – $200).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 ~$68 less | ~$75 – $200 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
heat 9/9 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
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 at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).