Willet Family Estate 10 yr?

[GerryM]

I have a small window of opportunity to pick up some WFE10 from choice of three different proofs. I'm interested since I've never had it never mind scene it in my neck of the woods.

I'm nervous since it is a little out of my comfort zone for cost with a price of $104 a bottle. Is that reasonable? Is it worth buying one bottle, one of each proof (127, 129, 132), whatever I can get my hands on or just take a pass?

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[AaronWF]

It's a crap shoot. If they tasted the bourbon before it was bottled (some retailers get samples and choose the barrel(s) based on that, others just take blindly from the distributor), it was likely almost 2 years ago and will have changed, either for better or worse. These are likely among the last of the WFE bourbons to be bottled before Willet starts bottling their own young juice, so the opportunity here is in tasting a decently aged, uncut/unfiltered bourbon distilled at one of the big distilleries.

Choosing by proof is arbitrary; it doesn't really tell you what the bourbon will tastes like. If you've never had it, take a chance with one. You'll either be kicking yourself for not getting more or sighing with relief that you held on to your money. $104 is a lot of money for what you're buying, but that's the state of the market these days.

[GerryM]

Aaron, thanks for the advice! What you suggested is what I had done initially when it was offered and asked for one bottle to be put aside. Unfortunately I don't think they tasted it in advance but I should have asked. I thought the price was a little high since I've read of people paying $70-80 per bottle on average but that was a while ago.

Besides being a great pour, I guess what also helps make FR such a popular bourbon is I just bought 4 bottles of barrel proof ten year old for half the price.

[squire]

I'm nervous since it is a little out of my comfort zone for cost with a price of $104 a bottle. Is that reasonable?

Not if they didn't make it. I understand the desire, 20 years ago I bought some Willett brands thinking I'd never had them only to discover I had under Heaven Hill labels. Same whisky, much difference in price. Overpaying for a disappointing bottle is like being screwed twice and not kissed once.

Truth is there is no distinctive Willett flavor or profile, rather they bottle what they can buy. The bottles you are considering are different proofs because they are different batches which are all essentially one offs. If you like one bottle there's no guarantee you will like the others or even that they were all made by the same distillery.

If the urge persists I suggest you buy one bottle (if you can post the batch numbers here first you may get some opinions) then use the rest of the cash to buy a case of something you know you'll enjoy.

[squire]

Besides being a great pour, I guess what also helps make FR such a popular bourbon is I just bought 4 bottles of barrel proof ten year old for half the price.

Yes, they're worth it plus you know what you're getting.

[GerryM]

Not if they didn't make it. I understand the desire, 20 years ago I bought some Willett brands thinking I'd never had them only to discover I had under Heaven Hill labels. Same whisky, much difference in price. Overpaying for a disappointing bottle is like being screwed twice and not kissed once.

Truth is there is no distinctive Willett flavor or profile, rather they bottle what they can buy. The bottles you are considering are different proofs because they are different batches which are all essentially one offs. If you like one bottle there's no guarantee you will like the others or even that they were all made by the same distillery.

If the urge persists I suggest you buy one bottle (if you can post the batch numbers here first you may get some opinions) then use the rest of the cash to buy a case of something you know you'll enjoy.

As usual, great advice and I thank you for the insight.

The barrel #'s are #1387 132.4prf, #1397 127.5prf and #1426 130.1prf

[PaulO]

I would say only get one if you can sample it, or trust someone that has. It could be any mash bill from any of the major KY distilleries. For $104 you could probably get two bottles of barrel proof bourbon if you looked into: Elijah Craig BP, Knob SB, Stagg Jr., and the 10 different recipes of Four Roses.

[Kyjd75]

Just a few years ago I was definitely not a Willett fan, primarily because they were a NDP and therefore, I reasoned, why buy their stuff rather than from the actual distillers. Then, by chance, I met Doug Phillips and we had a conversation or two about Willett. I decided to give Willett a try, and over the past 3 years have had several different ages and proofs of WFE. My experience has been that none of them were bad, a few were merely good, and most were outstanding. I would not hesitate to try at least one of the WFE's you are considering. Odds are you'll have a very good to great bottle.

[sutton]

This has been my experience as well. All of the WFEs I've purchased (about 9 different ones) were very good to excellent. As squire said, I'd gather most were Heaven Hill, a few I was unsure. For me, however, there was something a bit unique about them, so I've always wondered how long after purchasing the barrels KBD had them aging in their own warehouses.

I do think there is something unique that they provide in their own "terroir", but I have no way of proving whether they purchased, say a one year old barrel and aged it on premises for 9 additional years, or whether it was a 10 year old barrel straight from the distillery. $104 is a bit steep though to take a flyer on all of them - the most I've spent for a WFE was $60 and that was a couple of years ago ... maybe the retailer will give you a taste? Doesn't hurt to ask, especially if they think you'll spend $300+ ...

[squire]

Mark I suspect bottling at barrel proof is what makes the difference. As for "terrior" they are next door to Heaven Hill's warehouses.

[nd2005]

Mark I suspect bottling at barrel proof is what makes the difference. As for "terrior" they are next door to Heaven Hill's warehouses.

[smokinjoe]

Yeah I was gonna say...hard to picture much of a terroir difference when they are spitting distance from each other...

[sutton]

Fair enough squire, but if it can change it a rick, I think it can change up the hill.

(edit: Joe beat me to it ... but I do think squire has a point about utility at the price charged.)

Edited September 27, 2014 by sutton

[squire]

Sure fellas, I agree, there can be wide fluctuation between barrels aging within the same warehouse. Terrior is a geographic designation which is why it doesn't apply to Bourbon aging in warehouses located in close proximity to each other.

[smokinjoe]

Fair enough squire, but if it can change it a rick, I think it can change up the hill.

(edit: Joe beat me to it ... but I do think squire has a point about utility at the price charged.)

That's a good point, Mark. "Up the hill", "Down by the river", "In the low spot", are all regions within a distilleries property that a rickhouse may be located, that will impart a different characteristic to the same distillate coming off the still.

[Josh]

I've never had a bad Willet FE, but I've had lots that weren't worth the money or just dull.

WFE is definately a caveat emptor brand.

[squire]

That's a good point, Mark. "Up the hill", "Down by the river", "In the low spot", are all regions within a distilleries property that a rickhouse may be located, that will impart a different characteristic to the same distillate coming off the still.

[sutton]

I can agree with that Joe but if the warehouses are empty it doesn't really matter where they are located.

[squire]

Perhaps a McKenna taste off is in order.

[smokinjoe]

He's not currently active here, but Roger (Rughi) worked with HH a few years ago on bottling private selections of Henry McKenna BIB for his East Bay Study Group, with the goal of selecting barrels from their different rickhouse locations (Bardstown, Deatsville, etc,). As I remember him saying at the time, there were very distinct differences between the selections. Enough differences to give him pause on what he had previously considered the "House Profile" of Heaven Hill bourbons.

[squire]

Yes, house style is what the house creates by blending barrels from different warehouses/locations and the skill is in keeping the profile constant.

[HD 335]

I've noticed on many the recently released WFE (10 - 12 year) that all appear to be the same color. I know that's not always an indicator if the whiskey is from the same source, but recently I tasted two different 11 years and a 10 year. All were virtually identical in color and all tasted similar, like an amped up EWSB. I like it, but at the price point starting at $110 it's pricey. Strangely enough, my 8 year from last year is darker and not as sweet upfront as the pours I've had so far. If you're curious and willing to spend more than your typical amount it's something to try. But if you're more interested in sticking with solid bourbons that you know you will enjoy and get 2 or more bottles, than pass on the WFE.

I've never had a bad Willet FE, but I've had lots that weren't worth the money or just dull.

WFE is definately a caveat emptor brand.

I've only purchased WFE for the past 2 years and agree. None of them were bad, but the price especially as of late is pushing my threshold.

[GerryM]

I broke down and bought one bottle of WFE10 after considering the generous advice given here. In a nice way I commented to the seller that I was happy to only be getting 1 bottle due to the price of $104. He chuckled and said I was lucky I asked for a bottle to be held since the 3 cases he got were gone in 2 days. He's a good guy overall and when I said I was balking since I've read others paying $70-80 but those prices were a few months ago. He replied that his wholesale was well above that.

The scary thing is I stopped at another store after I left and noticed a bottle of the same juice behind the counter. When I asked about it the manager started in with how "rare" it is and how it was his last bottle. After I saw the price I politely excused myself- $120 It makes me feel like I got a bargain in a perverse way.

[squire]

In your place Gerry I would've done the same thing. I appreciate advice but have to make up my own mind.

[bin31z]

You should have snatched up as many cases as you can, WFE is the next Pappy!