Willet(t) Family Reserve 25 yo

[Virus_Of_Life]

I saw this in a store today and could only find the decription on Bevmo. Not much of a description.

"WILLET SINGLE BARREL FAMILY RESERVE 25 YR. BOURBON 90.2 PROOF. The Willet family brought their distilling knowledge from Europe to the American Colonies in the early 1600's and still remain."

I'd like to taste it but wasn't paying $199.99 to find out what 25 year old bourbon was like. I was just surprised we didn't hear something about it here first...

Doug(dog), have you tasted this? Anybody else seen or know anything about it?

[doubleblank]

Hey Christain, I don't know the specifics about this particular bottling, but Drew is using this label to sell his single barrels and "odd lots". By "odd lots", I mean when he has just a few barrels of a unique whiskey but not enought to fill out a brand or use in an existing product. I recall him talking about having a few barrels of a 14yo whiskey at last years fest in Chicago. He wanted someone to come down and select one and do it as a "Willetts Single Barrel". I also know he has some unique older barrels. What you found must be the bottled results from one of them.

Randy

[BourbonJoe]

Yes Randy, I remember Drew had a couple bottles of that 14 y/o at Whiskeyfest last year. I remember it being some good stuff. I never heard of any of it hitting the shelves though.

Joe :usflag:

[VERITAS]

I saw one bottle of the 25 year at my local shop - was VERY tempted, but held off as I don't drop $200 on bourbon very often, let alone on one bottle. But the reviews of the other Willet item are nothing but positive and I was very impressed by the Pot Still Reserve... I wonder if the bottle is still there....

[spun_cookie]

The curiosity was killing me, so I ordered one. Looks like it may be a California only buy for BevMo.

Fortunately all my work in CA last year allowed me to ship it to a buddy. :grin:

I will let y’all know what it tastes like when I get it.

[spun_cookie]

There are only 96 bottles of this. I got bottle 54 of 96. It is 90.2 proof. Barrel # 8.

Not sure when I will open it. I want to kill others off first...

[VERITAS]

A couple bottles popped up again in my local Bevmo - so I decided to splurge....

Bottle 13 out of 96 - not sure when I will crack it open, but I'll definitely give some notes when I do...

Kevin

[spun_cookie]

Veritas, is it also Barrel no eight? I would thing this was a single barrel, but it does not say....

[VERITAS]

Correct - it is barrel #8...

From what I've gathered Bevmo purchased one barrel - I'm interested to see if they will do another once the 25 year has sold through...

[SippinJim]

I have #88 unopened. Don't exactly know when I will open it. It has beautiful color though.

[wadewood]

Micro market meets micro demand. IMHO $200 is too much for an overaged probably Heaven Hill bourbon, but to each his own.

[spun_cookie]

You could be right, but I would never know if I did not get it

[VERITAS]

Anyone open their bottle yet? I think mine will be opened next week for my birthday...

[jinenjo]

Let us know how it tastes. Better yet, it would be more prudent to offer the East Bay Study Group a taste to see if you can join the ranks. :slappin:

[spun_cookie]

Not yet on my end... I am under restriction to reduce teh number of opens first... down to 30'sh I think... to much travel to do all my dinking... aurgh

[AVB]

The website says they are out now.

[SippinJim]

Anyone open their bottle yet? I think mine will be opened next week for my birthday...

Not yet but at times I'm tempted.:grin:

[TNbourbon]

You guys make me sick! Why not just throw two $100 bills on the ground so somebody other than the Kulsveens (' distributors) have a shot at them! I promise -- you can buy a much better centerpiece for your table for a lot less money at Kohl's, or Target, or SOMEWHERE!

Seriously, I'm willing to spend healthy dollars for good, historic bourbon -- but I'm sure as Hell gonna taste it for that kinda money!:pope:

[spun_cookie]

You guys make me sick! Why not just throw two $100 bills on the ground so somebody other than the Kulsveens (' distributors) have a shot at them! I promise -- you can buy a much better centerpiece for your table for a lot less money at Kohl's, or Target, or SOMEWHERE!

Seriously, I'm willing to spend healthy dollars for good, historic bourbon -- but I'm sure as Hell gonna taste it for that kinda money!:pope:

Tim baby, don't hold back. Tell us how you feel

$200 in the greater schemes of things is pretty cheap for a bourbon that old. Most will never have chance to try one and Willett usually does a good job with their selections. So for the $ it was worth the gamble.

It might be like sucking on a chunk of old oak, but it is also like filling my wife's car twice with gas... I know this will taste better than gas and it will get me further

[TNbourbon]

...$200 in the greater schemes of things is pretty cheap for a bourbon that old. Most will never have chance to try one and Willett usually does a good job with their selections. So for the $ it was worth the gamble.

It might be like sucking on a chunk of old oak, but it is also like filling my wife's car twice with gas... I know this will taste better than gas and it will get me further

Em, you misinterpret me. I'm not criticizing anyone's expenditure, but the fact that NO ONE's tasted it!

Collecting comestibles, to me, is like buying a bicycle because you can't afford a garage, even though you live 25 miles from work:skep:. What, exactly, is the point?!

[birdman1099]

Seriously, I'm willing to spend healthy dollars for good, historic bourbon -- but I'm sure as Hell gonna taste it for that kinda money!:pope:

My thoughts exactly. Open it and drink it already, or send it to someone who will !!!!

Either :shithappens: or get off the pot !!!!

[spun_cookie]

Tim,

My comments were meant in jest... a little humor per se'

And I agree.. I only collect my bourbons in a glass...

... and Birdman... you'll get some when its open ... and when you get to Tucson

We will do a 25 yr night...

[birdman1099]

:bis:

You sure do know how to make a grown man cry !!!:grin:

[spun_cookie]

:bis:

You sure do know how to make a grown man cry !!!:grin:

We could do a Willett night too... Or a Japan only night, or cask strength night, stagg night, weller night, WT night, PVW night, etc..

Man, as soon as you get to Tucson... We can do some drinking.. And now that bucc is unable to make it over there will be all this left over open bourbon I have to drink by myself ... Now I'm just being mean... Bring your wife to Tucson to enjoy our world class spas.. She'll think your great and the bouron is cheep hahaha

[spun_cookie]

Opened the 25yr... as promised. Very good. I will add notes later, but of the 27, 25 (rye), 25, 15, 7, 6, and 4 yrs that I have had... I think this might be the best one.

very nice and smooth bourbon...