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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 9 years +5 yr |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +25 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 ~$75 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 6/2 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).