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Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year vs Woodford Reserve
Put Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year next to Woodford Reserve and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +35 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $75 | ~$35 – $42 ~$32 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).