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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Penelope Architect
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Penelope Architect sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +21 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$60 – $70 ~$5 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.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/6 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).