Best Tasting Willett (Bourbon and Rye)

[BunkerBooze]

Since there are so many different ages of Willett bourbons and ryes, I was wondering what is the best tasting Willett bourbon and Willett rye you have ever tried?

[spun_cookie]

Since there are so many different ages of Willett bourbons and ryes, I was wondering what is the best tasting Willett bourbon and Willett rye you have ever tried?

DougDog had his hand in both... 22yr Dougs Rye and the 6yr Reid bottling for Bourbon are two of the tops...

Another 2 bourbons are the 25 year BevMo (chocolate monster) and the 27yr Binnys bottling of ~22 bottles

[birdman1099]

While I cannot disagree with the above, I must throw in there the 16 yr 147 proofer that the Party source did in 2008. Im my circles, it earned 2 nicknames "Stagg Daddy" and "Chewy".

[ggilbertva]

While I cannot disagree with the above, I must throw in there the 16 yr 147 proofer that the Party source did in 2008. Im my circles, it earned 2 nicknames "Stagg Daddy" and "Chewy".

That 147 proofer is a monster. I would add a bottling that Dave G. did that I believe was 16 years old. The recent E & R bottling is simply terrific.

[SMOWK]

I opened my first Willett bottle just the other day. It was a 5yr bottling by Gonano. Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. I'm glad I have 3 more of the 5 yr and 2 of the 8yr with Gonano on the back.

[p_elliott]

Just why is it when then the name Willett's comes out the names Dougdoug and DGonano start flying:bowdown: .(rhetorical question )

By the way if either one of you are reading this I hope your doing well. Maybe see you in KY again.

[ggilbertva]

Doug and Dave know how to pick them.

[p_elliott]

Doug and Dave know how to pick them.

Like I said Rhetorical question

[ggilbertva]

Like I said Rhetorical question

Yah, I know but I've yet to have a bottle selected by either that I didn't think was very good. I've had some Willetts that I felt were mediocre, but not coming from either Dave or Doug.

[dgonano]

Thanks for the support. A smart man surrounds himself with smarter men. I always invite Doug and my boys to help in the selection. Drew Kulsveen should also be complimented as he rolls out or taps into excellent barrels.

I will be in KY for the sampler. Hope to see all my good friends!

[OscarV]

Another,...
the 25 year BevMo (chocolate monster)

Oh hell yeah, amen, F-ing A right, slap yo Mama's face, that was the ugliest bourbon I ever saw, (looked like iron contaminated river water) but worth every penny of the 2 pictures of Franklin.

[nor02lei]

I haven’t actually tasted any but the 2 22 year rye bottled for Doug. Both were excellent with the first one being one of the best whiskeys I have ever had.

Leif

[mgilbertva]

I've tried several (I lost count), and here's my favorites:

Doug's 22yo Rye (possibly my favorite whiskey ever)
Doug & Reid's 18yo (very musty at first, but opens up beautifully)
Dave Ganano's 16 yo (unique dark chocolate/resin flavor due to the use of a different kind of oak)
Bourbon Society's 7 yo silver wax (best of the younger Willetts)

[Slob]

I am having a bastard of a time finding any Willett at all in New York.

[cigarnv]

Doug's original two ryes are IMO are the best offerings to be graced by the Willet's label....

[AVB]

I have to agree that the Iron Fist and Velvet Glove are two for the ages.

[gblick]

The only Willett to be found on store shelves around here is that Willett's Bourbon in the fancy bottle. :hot:

[OscarV]

I have not opened it yet cuz I just ain't got around to it but I have a bottle with the following credits;

Distilled: 5-21-03
Age: 4yo
Proof: 125.4
Cooperage: Oak
Stored In Warehouse: B
Rick: 54
Barrel No: 2
Selected for: Toddy's & Dougz Fall Festival 2007

Anybody had any?
If so whud ya think?

[WsmataU]

I have not opened it yet cuz I just ain't got around to it but I have a bottle with the following credits;

Distilled: 5-21-03
Age: 4yo
Proof: 125.4
Cooperage: Oak
Stored In Warehouse: B
Rick: 54
Barrel No: 2
Selected for: Toddy's & Dougz Fall Festival 2007

Anybody had any?
If so whud ya think?

I have a couple bottles from Toddy's and one opened. I haven't tried it in a while, but I remember it being hot with a lot of spice as compared to the 16 yr that was loaded with brown sugar and much smoother. Maybe I'll do a side by side later tonight and try to come back with some notes.

[OscarV]

I have a couple bottles from Toddy's,....
but I remember it being hot with a lot of spice as compared to the 16 yr



4yo vs 16yo, not fair!

[OscarV]

I have another one that I forgot about.
It is a special selection by Binny's.
The stats are as follows,

27 Years Old
138.6 Proof
Bottle No 19 of 24
Distilled: December 5, 1980
Cooperage: White Oak
Stored In Warehouse: C
Rick: NI
Barrel No: 473

It seems that Joe AKA Lost Pollito @ Binny's was trying to keep track of all 24 bottles as to where they ended up.

Hey Joe, you still have that count?

[spun_cookie]

I have another one that I forgot about.
It is a special selection by Binny's.
The stats are as follows,

27 Years Old
138.6 Proof
Bottle No 19 of 24
Distilled: December 5, 1980
Cooperage: White Oak
Stored In Warehouse: C
Rick: NI
Barrel No: 473

It seems that Joe AKA Lost Pollito @ Binny's was trying to keep track of all 24 bottles as to where they ended up.

Hey Joe, you still have that count?

I know where 3 are.... Scott, Birdman has 1... not sure of the number... like 9 of 24 I think and I have #5 (unopened) and #16 (1/3 gone).

Tony has one I think.... How many did Binny's hold behind for prosperity... I hope a few.

[birdman1099]

I believe TomH has one.

[Lost Pollito]

I have another one that I forgot about.
It is a special selection by Binny's.
The stats are as follows,

27 Years Old
138.6 Proof
Bottle No 19 of 24
Distilled: December 5, 1980
Cooperage: White Oak
Stored In Warehouse: C
Rick: NI
Barrel No: 473

It seems that Joe AKA Lost Pollito @ Binny's was trying to keep track of all 24 bottles as to where they ended up.

Hey Joe, you still have that count?
Yep. I've got the list on my desk. :grin: I think 2 are held back. That was SW juice. Very delicious. :grin: I hear we may get some more at some point. Fingers crossed.

[tommyboy38]

Only 2 left? Maybe I'll stop by tomorrow!!!

[WsmataU]

I have a couple bottles from Toddy's and one opened. I haven't tried it in a while, but I remember it being hot with a lot of spice as compared to the 16 yr that was loaded with brown sugar and much smoother. Maybe I'll do a side by side later tonight and try to come back with some notes.

Oscar, I obviously confused the bottle you listed with what I have. I apologize for the delay, but life got in the way....lol. Mine is 7yrs old, but still a Toddy's selection:
124.6 proof
Bottle 25/144
Distilled March 12, 2001
Warehouse B
Rick # North 7
Barrel # 8194

It still has that heat I remembered. It has a better nose than I remembered with some vanilla, molasses and leather. It is a lighter amber color than the older stuff and the alcohol makes itself more apparent earlier in tasting. It's just not as mellow or sweet, but that's not surprising. It is a very nice pour and considering I paid less than $40 for the bottle I think it was a good buy. I'll save the 16 yr comparison for next weekend. I remember that one bing much sweeter and having a lot of brown sugar flavor to it.

[Lost Pollito]

Only 2 left? Maybe I'll stop by tomorrow!!!
Ha-ha!!:lol: Don't bother they're tucked away for quite some time yet.

[tommyboy38]

Just untuck them

[Vange]

I have another one that I forgot about.
It is a special selection by Binny's.
The stats are as follows,

27 Years Old
138.6 Proof
Bottle No 19 of 24
Distilled: December 5, 1980
Cooperage: White Oak
Stored In Warehouse: C
Rick: NI
Barrel No: 473

It seems that Joe AKA Lost Pollito @ Binny's was trying to keep track of all 24 bottles as to where they ended up.

Hey Joe, you still have that count?

I have one as well. One of my prize possessions.

[OscarV]

I have one as well. One of my prize possessions.

What number?
C'mon guys list the numbers, I have #19, what else is out there, and Joe get that list off your desk and enter it here!!!
:lol: :slappin: :grin: :slappin: :grin:
But really, it'd be cool it link all 24 bottles to names.

[birdman1099]

Mine is bottle 9

[Vange]

If I get a chance I will find the number.

[chouffe62]

I have bottle 10. I Would actually like to trade this for a A.H. Hirsch 20. Please PM me if anyone is interested. Thanks!

[OscarV]

I have bottle 10. I Would actually like to trade this for a A.H. Hirsch 20. Please PM me if anyone is interested. Thanks!



If I only had 2 Hirsch 20's.

[TNbourbon]

I have not opened it yet cuz I just ain't got around to it but I have a bottle with the following credits;

Distilled: 5-21-03
Age: 4yo
Proof: 125.4
Cooperage: Oak
Stored In Warehouse: B
Rick: 54
Barrel No: 2
Selected for: Toddy's & Dougz Fall Festival 2007

Anybody had any?
If so whud ya think?


I have a couple bottles from Toddy's and one opened...
Oscar, like Frank, I have one of these open, another sealed. It's very good whiskey, to be sure -- but the over-riding fact about it to me is how complex 4yo bourbon can be, and how disappointing that makes all the standard 4yo bourbons (albeit, not barrel-proof!) out there.

[chouffe62]

If I only had 2 Hirsch 20's.

My nephew retired from the Navy last year after 20 years of service and his 20th wedding anniversary arrives in June. We thought a Hirsch 20 would make a really nice "20 years" gift theme.

[sailor22]

I'm going to agree with everyone on the Doug's Ryes. Both that I have sampled are great. I don't own any bottles but would love to. The other two Ryes that I find really special and comparable are the Bourbon DC "Iron Fist" and the Seelbach's Rathskeller Rye (I'll call it a Willett).

The Em & Reid 6yr is one of my all time favorite Bourbons. You guys deserve a medal.

The Bourbon Society 7yr never lets me down and now I wish I had the good sense to buy more when I had the chance.

Also I have a 18 yr Doug and Willy'z bourbon open that should be on this list.

[Lost Pollito]

So, my question is...when are we picking a sb Willet barrel? I think we could probably pick a great one together. :grin:

[sgtgto]

So, my question is...when are we picking a sb Willet barrel? I think we could probably pick a great one together. :grin:

I am in. But I think it should be a 10 yr old or better.

[BourbonJoe]

The finest Willett SB I've ever tasted was a 12 y/o 114 proof jewel that I think I got at the Party Source. There were only 72 bottles made. That ranks with some of the finest whiskey that I've ever tasted. Also Dave Gonano's 16 y/o was quite good.
Joe :usflag:

[sailor22]

o, my question is...when are we picking a sb Willet barrel? I think we could probably pick a great one together.

Only if Doug, Dave, Emerald and Reid lead the charge am I confident.

[gothbat]

So, my question is...when are we picking a sb Willet barrel? I think we could probably pick a great one together. :grin:

That would be cool, my one remaining bottle from the last sb barrel purchase I was in on is probably my most prized bottle!

[doubleblank]

There's only been one "official" Straightbourbon.com barrel purchase and that was the two Pappy 23yo SB's we did several years ago. Purchased through Binny's to facilitate shipping around the country.

Individuals and small groups of SB'ers have purchased barrels from the Kulsveens, BT, JVW, JD, WT, et al. It's getting too hard to keep track of all the single barrels that our members have participated in. I don't recall ever trying a bad one.....something with a serious flaw. Some were not my favorites in terms of flavors I look for, but were all drinkable. For example, those 4yo Willetts are a little brash to my taste, but make excellent Manhattans. As do those older Willett Ryes. My least favorite SB was done many years ago by some of us as a SB of regular ol BT. The reason it's my least favorite is that it tastes like.......regular BT. And that's not bad, just nothing special.

Randy

[OscarV]

So, my question is...when are we picking a sb Willet barrel? I think we could probably pick a great one together. :grin:


Only if Doug, Dave, Emerald and Reid lead the charge am I confident.


I am in. But I think it should be a 10 yr old or better.

I agree with all of the above.
Let's do it!

[Vange]

the two Pappy 23yo SB's we did several years ago. Purchased through Binny's to facilitate shipping around the country.
Randy

Some of the finest whisky I ever had!

With that said, I'd be up for any single barrel stuff headed by the great people of this forum.

[dgonano]

Randy is too humble to mention the "Best" single barrel...his own "Van Blankle". He's the one who started the craze.

[whskylvr]

I was out today for the first time in many months (broken foot) and I stumbled upon 3 bottles of Willett 25yr, BevMo Bottling, 90.2 proof. From what i have read here this is pretty good juice (any comments???)

I purchased one thats all the cash I had on me and I plan on going back for the other two. Really looking forward to trying this one.:grin:

[WsmataU]

Some of the finest whisky I ever had!

With that said, I'd be up for any single barrel stuff headed by the great people of this forum.

I'm in!!!!!!:cool:

[whskylvr]

I have learned a valuable lesson. What you ask? Well if you look at post #47 I reported that I found 3 Willet 25 yr. and I had enough cash on me to purchase 1 bottle. Well I went back and the other 2 didn't last long.

First I hope that another SB.com member was able to get them or a least one of them. I hope that a lurker didn't get them and they end up on Ebay. I had planned on getting the other 2 for Sb.com members.

Lesson: Do not post any news on bottles until you have bought all that you want (whether they are for you or friends on the site).:hot: :hot: :hot: :hot:

[DeanSheen]

Lurker burn!

Sucks man.

[OscarV]

........ bourbons are the 25 year BevMo (chocolate monster) ........

OK, 'fess up, who got it?
Last night a bottle of this liquid chocolate sold on eBay for $260.33 plus $16.00 shipping.
Bottle No 63 of 96.
It would have went so nice with my empty bottle of No 29.

[Josh]

Lesson: Do not post any news on bottles until you have bought all that you want (whether they are for you or friends on the site).:hot: :hot: :hot: :hot:

We've all been there.

[Josh]

OK, 'fess up, who got it?
Last night a bottle of this liquid chocolate sold on eBay for $260.33 plus $16.00 shipping.
Bottle No 63 of 96.
It would have went so nice with my empty bottle of No 29.

That's not a totally insane price either. Shocking for ebay.

[OscarV]

That's not a totally insane price either. Shocking for ebay.

Yeah, it was a reasonable eBay price. 2 hundred was the original shelf price.
Confession time,....my last bid was $255.83.:rolleyes:

[jburlowski]

Gee, no bids yet on the WR4G starting at $219.99. :lol:

[BBQ+Bourbon]

I have learned a valuable lesson. What you ask? Well if you look at post #47 I reported that I found 3 Willet 25 yr. and I had enough cash on me to purchase 1 bottle. Well I went back and the other 2 didn't last long.

First I hope that another SB.com member was able to get them or a least one of them. I hope that a lurker didn't get them and they end up on Ebay. I had planned on getting the other 2 for Sb.com members.

Lesson: Do not post any news on bottles until you have bought all that you want (whether they are for you or friends on the site).:hot: :hot: :hot: :hot:
That's a great lesson to learn. I know of several others who have experienced the same thing.

[IronHead]

Gee, no bids yet on the WR4G starting at $219.99. :lol:

I wonder if that's the same one I traded to someone on here for something that I'd actually drink. :grin: