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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is age (4 years vs. 12 years).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Elijah Craig 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 | 12 years +8 yr |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 ~$15 less | ~$70 – $100 |
- 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.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
heat 9/9 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
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 lower price point.
- Go with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).