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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Comparing Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and an uncut, wheated heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +14 proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 ~$12 less | ~$78 – $85 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
heat 9/7 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).