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Willett Pot Still Reserve vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
On paper Willett Pot Still Reserve and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$45 – $60 vs. ~$45 – $90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 ~$15 less | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a lower price point.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).