Compare
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Old Grand-Dad 114
Comparing Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Old Grand-Dad 114 reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Old Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +11 proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$28 – $35 ~$39 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Old Grand-Dad 114 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/9 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
heat 9/8 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- Old Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
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 Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).