Compare
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Put Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year next to Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | 4 years |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +25 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$16 – $22 ~$51 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).