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Willett Pot Still Reserve vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
On paper Willett Pot Still Reserve and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$45 – $60 vs. ~$60 – $80) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 ~$18 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve does 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.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/9 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).