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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs George T. Stagg
Comparing Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and George T. Stagg is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$65 – $75 vs. ~$150 – $800).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | George T. Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +18 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 ~$405 less | ~$150 – $800 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and George T. Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
heat 9/10 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 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.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
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 George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat (George T. Stagg).