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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Smooth Ambler Old Scout sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a sourced, rye-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | 5 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +26 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$40 – $50 ~$25 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.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/6 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 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.
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout: Sourced MGP bourbon selected and bottled in West Virginia, and one of the more honest sourced brands about exactly what it is. The characteristic MGP dill-and-pepper signature, cleanly presented.
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 Smooth Ambler Old Scout if you want the classic MGP high-rye profile from a bottler that has always been upfront about sourcing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).