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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Four Roses Small Batch
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Four Roses Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% 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 | ~$32 – $38 ~$35 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.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 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.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
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 Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).