THE WILLETT TRADITION
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 300 bushels (~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 fine Kentucky Bourbon and Kentucky Rye Whiskey at the same spot that Thompson and his family operated over 80 years ago.
In the latter portion of 2011, the family opened a visitor center and tasting room. It is quite common for the visitor center to carry very rare releases of Single Barrel and Small Batch Willett Family Estate Bottled Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys. Daily tours are also offered. We would like to extend a warm welcome.
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WILLETT FAMILY ESTATE BOTTLED 4 YEAR RYE 55% alc./vol. (110 proof) Small Batch - Rye Whiskey tasting notes The barrels that went into this small batch combined to
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Malt Advocate 90 "Bottled in a really cool glass pot still decanter. Soft and elegant on the nose and palate, and very well balanced. An incredibly
" Light-bodied for a barrel strength whiskey; great orange and perfume notes up front followed by mint and finishing softly with floral and fruit notes.
Malt Advocate 90 "Bottled in a really cool glass pot still decanter. Soft and elegant on the nose and palate, and very well balanced. An incredibly
" Medium-bodied barrel strength whiskey; much as the 2-year expression, this drinks surprisingly elegant for a Cask Strength Rye Whiskey. There is the initial spice
" Medium-bodied barrel strength whiskey; much as the 2-year expression, this drinks surprisingly elegant for a Cask Strength Rye Whiskey. There is the initial spice
" Originally brandy producers from France, the Willett family brought their distilling knowledge with them from Europe to the American Colonies in the early 1600s.
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