Compare
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Old Forester Statesman
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +30 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$50 – $55 ~$18 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 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 Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).