Distileri

Willett

Kentucky, USA · 1936'den beri

Willett Distillery stands as one of Kentucky's most storied family-owned bourbon operations, with roots stretching back to 1936 when Thompson Willett established the distillery in Bardstown. The family navigated decades of industry upheaval, at times operating primarily as a bottler and barrel broker under the Kentucky Bourbon Distillers label before reviving active distillation around 2012. This renaissance allowed Willett to reclaim full control over its liquid, producing wheated and high-rye bourbon mash bills in its distinctive pot still setup. The brand is perhaps best recognized by the iconic pear-shaped Pot Still Reserve bottle, a design that has become synonymous with the distillery's identity. Beyond aesthetics, Willett's single barrel releases and Family Estate bottlings command serious attention among collectors, often showcasing deep caramel, dried fruit, toasted oak, and warming spice profiles. The distillery's willingness to release aged, cask-strength expressions without compromise has cemented its reputation as a benchmark of American craft whiskey culture.