Willett Distillery
Bardstown, Kentucky
In the spring of 1936, at the age of 27, Thompson Willett founded Willett Distillery. The distillery was erected near the family farm, which had been purchased by Lambert Willett, Thompson's dad. Upon completion, in the spring of 1937, Willett Distillery produced its first batch of Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. That first batch amounted to 30 barrels on March 17, 1937, St. Patrick's Day. The newly barreled Bourbon was stored in one of the family's rickhouses, each capable of storing between 4,000 and 5,000 Whiskey barrels. The rickhouses were built on some of the highest ground in the county, assuring that a fresh breeze would aid in the maturation of the Whiskey.
To this day, descendants of Thompson Willett are still carrying on the family tradition of making true Kentucky Bourbon and Kentucky Rye Whiskey at the same spot that Thompson and his family operated over 80 years ago.
Willett Pot Still Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750mL
Sale $49.99 Reg. $52.99
Nose is "vanilla lemon cake." The palate is a balance of caramel, vanilla, spices and citrus. I'm not sure if they made the opulent bottle to match the Whiskey or vice versa.
Willett Pot Still Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon 1.75L
Sale $104.99 Reg. $109.99
The same classic pot still Kentucky Bourbon as above, just in a larger format which further showcases Willett's showstopping decanter bottle.
Rowan's Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon
Sale $46.99 Reg. $49.99
Bringing your nose to the glass, you are treated to caramel and vanilla layered on herbal and floral notes. The mouthfeel starts oily but finishes dry. On the palate you are treated to sweet caramel, vanilla, dusted in floral notes... finishing notes of oak and a lingering spiciness.
Noah's Mill Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon
Sale $59.99 Reg. $64.99
One of the most lush and rich Whiskeys on the market. The nose is walnuts, prunes, and floral notes. The palate mimics the nose with walnuts, prunes, spices, intertwined with lavender and balanced with the perfect amount of acid, that leads you down a path of lingering burnt caramel.
Willett Family Estate Rare Release 4yr Straight Rye Whiskey
Sale $64.99 Reg. $67.99
The barrels that went into this small batch combined to make an amazing drinker.
Nose- Beautiful layering of brandied cherry over a mildly tart cherry. It opens up with time and is reminiscent of cutting into your dessert with your fork which releases cinnamon and baking spices with just a hint of oak to remind you that this is high proof youthful.
Palette- A robust rye with dark cherry, burnt vanilla, and spices for days. It's a delicious rye with a weighty mouthfeel.
Balance - It's insanely well balanced with the alcohol so perfectly integrated at 115 proof you'll forget its there, but you'll find yourself smiling more and happier with each dram.
Finish- the finish is long and the spices dominate this batch, while the cherry does punch its way through to the surface.
