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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
On paper Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$65 – $75 vs. ~$250 – $400) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 15 years +11 yr |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +8 proof | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 ~$255 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
heat 9/7 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
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 Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).