Willett whiskies

History

The Willett family has a long relationship with Kentucky whiskey, and in the middle of the 20th century it founded its own distillery in Bardstown. At the end of the last century a son-in-law of the family, of Norwegian origin, took the reins of the business and turned it into a bottler of selected whiskeys, with highly regarded brands of its own. In 2012 the family revived distilling on the same premises, and since then its whiskeys have gradually combined its own production with stocks from other houses. Its family single barrel editions are among the bourbons most sought after by collectors.

House style

Willett’s whiskeys tend to be rich and aromatic, with caramel, honey, citrus, flowers and spice. Pot Still Reserve, a small batch bottled at 47% ABV, is one of the house’s smoothest and sweetest, while its family single barrel editions are much more intense. It is an elegant bourbon, more floral than robust. Being a small, much sought-after house, some of its bottles are hard to find outside the United States, and its rarest editions sell at collector prices.

Where to start

Willett Pot Still Reserve is the catalogue’s benchmark and a good way to get to know the house, as well as an eye-catching gift. If you like its sweet, floral style, compare it with Four Roses Small Batch or Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select, two bourbons that are also elegant and aromatic. It is also a good bottle for those starting out with bourbon who prefer gentle styles.

• Willett Pot Still ReserveBourbon · 47% ABV