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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Old Forester 100 Proof 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 | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +25 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$26 – $32 ~$41 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).