jeff Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 This month we're not looking so much at a single bourbon, but rather a wide range of single barrel bourbons, each as distinct as the people who select them. I'm talking of course about the Willett line of Single Barrel Bourbon bottlings. This idea, conceived by the Kulsveens at Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, allows groups and individuals the opportunity to purchase the contents of one or more barrels and have them bottled privately using the Willett name. While the concept of private barrel selection and sales is nothing new, many on this site have participated in such a venture, Willett is the first brand known to be dedicated solely to this purpose. Right now I'm enjoying a pour of 16yo, 135.2 proof from Barrel number 3705, Distilled on 11/18/1991, selected by our friend Dave Gonano. Caramel, Leather, vanilla and oak characterize this lovely bourbon whiskey. Thanks again Dave!So share with the board your favorite bottling of Willett Family Reserve!:893drillsergeant-thSound off:893drillsergeant-th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WsmataU Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I'm taken by the newest Willett offerings. I've only had the Willett 7yr from Toddy's and just got my shipment of the 16 yr (mine's only 122 proof), but the difference brings up a question. I noticed the 16yr came with white wax. I was under the mistaken impression that they used the white wax for rye bottlings. Is there any rhyme or reason to their bottling proceedures? By the way... I am a huge fan of the 7yr. At $40/ bottle I think it is one of the best buys on the market.I'm still waiting to try the 12 yr. Maybe I'll make it down to "Bourbon" to try the whole lineup in a "flight" to really do a fair tasting comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggilbertva Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 This month we're not looking so much at a single bourbon, but rather a wide range of single barrel bourbons, each as distinct as the people who select them. I'm talking of course about the Willett line of Single Barrel Bourbon bottlings. This idea, conceived by the Kulsveens at Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, allows groups and individuals the opportunity to purchase the contents of one or more barrels and have them bottled privately using the Willett name. While the concept of private barrel selection and sales is nothing new, many on this site have participated in such a venture, Willett is the first brand known to be dedicated solely to this purpose. Right now I'm enjoying a pour of 16yo, 135.2 proof from Barrel number 3705, Distilled on 11/18/1991, selected by our friend Dave Gonano. Caramel, Leather, vanilla and oak characterize this lovely bourbon whiskey. Thanks again Dave!So share with the board your favorite bottling of Willett Family Reserve!:893drillsergeant-thSound off:893drillsergeant-thJeff,Just saw Dave today and discussed that very bottling. He was kind enough to share it a couple weeks ago and it's really fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggilbertva Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I'm taken by the newest Willett offerings. I've only had the Willett 7yr from Toddy's and just got my shipment of the 16 yr (mine's only 122 proof), but the difference brings up a question. I noticed the 16yr came with white wax. I was under the mistaken impression that they used the white wax for rye bottlings. Is there any rhyme or reason to their bottling proceedures? By the way... I am a huge fan of the 7yr. At $40/ bottle I think it is one of the best buys on the market.I'm still waiting to try the 12 yr. Maybe I'll make it down to "Bourbon" to try the whole lineup in a "flight" to really do a fair tasting comparison.My understanding is the wax color is a personal choice and not decided by KBD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake_Parrott Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I will take more than 16 characters to say, "Greg is right." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WsmataU Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I cracked open one of mine tonight March '92 barrel 7789 122.2 proof.This has a really long burn. I mean really long. Not overwhealming like GTS, in fact I was a little suprized that it didn't burn more, but it just kept going :bigeyes:I'll admit that I am a relative novice, so you'll forgive my amateur tasting notes.It is very sweet on first taste. A lot of caramel/toffee overtones. As it opens up it, those flavors tend to settle back into brown sugar. There may be a hint of clove in the background or maybe cinnimon, but the brown sugar flavor dominates. I also had a slight cherry scent as an afterthought.I'll stash one of these fo a long hold in the bunker. I like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jburlowski Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 My favorite is the 12 yo sold by The Party Source last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYtaster Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I had a bottle of the 7 year a couple of months back. Not bad but not too remarkable of the ~$40 it cost. I don't remember where it was from or any lot info. Definatly sounds like I need to find a bottle of the 16 YO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WsmataU Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Not to pick an argument, but I'd like to discuss how Willett comes across these barrells. It is my understanding that they are only a label and not a distiller, so in theory the same bourbon is sitting under a different label on a different part of the shelf.Help a naive newb through this!:skep: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake_Parrott Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 "Willett" is a brand owned by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd., an independent bottler of bourbon based in Bardstown, KY. KBD blends and bottles several brands for themselves (including Johnny Drum, Old Bardstown, Pure Kentucky, Noah's Mill, and Rowan's Creek) and others. KBD offers the cream-colored Willett label to distributors and retailers who wish to bottle single barrels from KBD's stock (which is acquired via contracts with bourbon distillers) by themselves. Most of these bottlings are done uncut and un-chillfiltered, although my company (Ledroit Brands, a Washington, DC-based wholesaler) does do an occasional young barrel at 94 proof, primarily for on-premise purposes. Ledroit also markets KBD's brands in DC.Each Willett bottling is unique and reflects the tastes and strategy of the entity selecting the particular barrel. All of the cask-strength bottlings that my company does are given a silly name (which is printed in the "Selected For" line on the back label), which helps us keep the bottlings straight more easily than using a barrel number. To my knowledge, most other entities that buy barrels do not use such a mnemonic approach, but I don't know for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNbourbon Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 My favorite remains the first, a rye:http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6070&highlight=WillettI still have a couple of minis I poured from the end of my last bottle for enjoying some future time of special occasion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake_Parrott Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I'm with TN...both of Doug's first two barrels were exemplary. Not to mention that, if it weren't for Mr. Doug's resourcefulness in arranging for those barrels, a lot of the bottlings after them would never have happened. I thus nominate him for Bourbon Enabler of the Century! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BourbonJoe Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I agree. I have both of Doug's ryes and the first two bottlings from LeNell. There are no better ryes in existance IMO.Joe :usflag: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog918 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I'm in California and would like to get a bottle of the 16 yo. Where can I get some or who can I talk too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
augustgarage Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I'm in California and would like to get a bottle of the 16 yo. Where can I get some or who can I talk too?:searching: I've seen the 17yo in Pasadena (and Menlo Park) - quite a bit more expensive though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog918 Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Thanks. I'l have to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgilbertva Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I've been drinking the excellent Willett bottling with the silver wax done by the Bourbon Society. Here's the particulars:7 y/o122.2 pfLot# 01C12Distilled 3/12/01, bottled 2008Barrel #8219Btl 65/176It tastes pretty mature for a 7 year old. Some wood and vanilla, but intense toffee is what you pick up right away. I also noticed some fruit that took me awhile to identify: bananas. It's weird but I get banana after the initial toffee burst. Some maple on the nose and woodiness on the finish that I like. The only off-note is the alcohol is pretty pronounced at first, so it's best to let it sit a bit first. It may have been the alcohol, but I also noticed a medicinal quality. I'll have to go back again to see if that's still there.Overall, an excellent choice. Not super-unique, but different enough to be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchie66 Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I would like to tase one of their products but unfortunately it is not available overhere.There was a bottle of Lone Oak offered the other day. That is also one of their products , right? But i could not find any info on that bottle except for for a listing between the KBD products http://nationalbourbonleague.net/Distilleries.htm#Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd. (KBD) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 I would like to tase one of their products but unfortunately it is not available overhere.There was a bottle of Lone Oak offered the other day. That is also one of their products , right? But i could not find any info on that bottle except for for a listing between the KBD products http://nationalbourbonleague.net/Distilleries.htm#Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd. (KBD) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchie66 Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Germany is nearby but i never have seen it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruby K Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 how ab out new york? the only version i've seen are the pot still bottles, and sadly, LeNell is long gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rughi Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 how ab out new york? the only version i've seen are the pot still bottles, and sadly, LeNell is long gone.Take matters into your own hands: make friends with a liquor store owner, do the legwork for organizing a barrel, and make it happen.That's how Willett started.Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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