In 1936 Thompson Willett founded Willett Distillery. Today, the tradition continues.

1684

In 1674 Edward Willett went to London and apprenticed to Daniel Mason to learn the pewter trade. When he was twenty-three, Edward received his mark and became a pewterer. He was allowed to strike his touch, pictured here, in the Pewterer’s Hall of London in 1684.

2012

January 27th – The family puts the first barrels of their new-make Bourbon Whiskey into Warehouse A for storage. This would have been Thompson’s 103rd birthday.

2017

On March 17, 2017 (St. Patrick’s Day) the family celebrated it’s 80 Year Anniversary of when Thompson Willett and his family put their first barrels into storage.

Willett Wheated Bourbon Tasting notes

The first release was distilled in the early Spring of 2013 and bottled in the Summer of 2022. The proprietary mashbill is barreled at 115 proof in Char# 4 American Oak. We bottle without chill-filtration to preserve the most flavor possible.

In 1936 Thompson Willett founded Willett Distillery. Today, the tradition continues. The Willett family legacy lives on in Willett Pot Still Reserve. 

Awards 

San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2008: Gold Medal for taste, and the Double Gold Medal for design.

Aged: 8 & 10 Year

Tasting Notes

Nose: Vanilla lemon cake.

Palate: Balance of caramel, vanilla, spices and citrus. 

For the Willett family, distilling craft whiskey is a family tradition. John David Willett began distilling at the Moore, Willett & Frenke Distillery in Kentucky during Reconstruction. In 1898, Lambert Willett, who was 15 years old at the time, began apprenticing with his father. Nearly four decades later, Lambert, together with his son, Thompson, purchased a farm on the outskirts of Bardstown, Kentucky and began construction of the Willett Distilling Company. Today, Evan Kulsveen, Thompson Willett's son-in-law and the owner of Willett Distilling Company, continues to shepherd the family legacy forward. This Willett Family Estate Small Batch rye is matured for four years in hand selected White Oak barrels for four years. Bottled at a cask strength this powerful rye is deeply complex with a touch of sweetness followed by toasted notes. 

Tasting Notes

Nose: "vanilla lemon cake." The palate is a balance of caramel, vanilla, spices and citrus.