Willett Family Reserve: All Expressions

[mgilbertva]

I wanted to put everything I had about various Willett label releases in one place. My list is incomplete so any assistance would be appreciated.

I consider myself fortunate to live next to an area where an extraordinary number of these releases have been made available. This is primarily due to the efforts of our very own Jack Parrott. I have tried most of them and have been blown away by how good these bourbons and ryes are. In DC many of the '08 bottlings are still available. Ace Beverage, The Wine Specialist, Central Liquors and Schneiders all have carried some or all of Jakes's DC expressions. Ace gives a discount to sb'ers.

Outside of DC a number of bottlings have been done under the Willett label. But overall, "Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Bourbon/Rye ... is what we consider our barrel selection program," according to Drew Kulsveen. The Pot Still bottling we've discussed is not technically part of this line as it was a general release available in several states.

All of the following, so far as I know, are unfiltered and if they exceed 100pf, they are bottled at barrel strength.

[mgilbertva]

First up: Bourbons

The Bourbons I have seen under the Willett Family Reserve Label all have a maroon-brown wax, cream with gold and purple highlights on the label. From what I read, the East Bay Study Group did a couple private bottlings that used gold wax.

2007 Tranche - DC only

Willett Bourbon 6yr, 122.4pf, Bernheim (new), distilled on 3/12/01, warehouse B, rick NR7, barrel #10 (#6 on front label), 168 bottles, for Bourbon Restaurant

Review

:

community.livejournal.com/scofflaws_den/25176.html

Willett Bourbon 15yr, 122.9pf, Heaven Hill, distilled 8/17/92; warehouse B, rick SR13, barrel #8, 153 bottles, for Bourbon Restaurant

2008 Tranche - DC only

Willett Bourbon 6yr 94pf, Bernheim (new), distilled 11/7/01, warehouse B, rick S17, barrel # 1554, or Ledroit Brands. Intended as a rail bourbon.

Willett Bourbon 6yr, "Pear Tree"; 122.4pf, Bernheim (new), distilled 11/07/01; warehouse B, rick S17, barrel #1552, 180 bottles

Willett Bourbon 7yr, "Old Fuss & Feathers"; 121.4pf, Bernheim (new), distilled 3/12/01; warehouse B, rick S6, barrel #8201, 186 bottles

California Only

Willett Single Barrel Family Resrerve, 25yr, 90.2pf, distilled 12/31/81, warehouse C, rick N2, barrel #8, 96 bottles.

Willett Family Estate Bottled Single Barrel Bourbon, 4yo, 126.3pf, East Bay S.G. #1 (gold wax?)

Willett Family Estate Bottled Single Barrel Bourbon, 4yo, East Bay S.G. #2, no info

Bardstown, KY Only

Willett Bourbon, 4yo, 125.4pf, arranged by Doug Philips for Toddy's during the KBF (2007)

[mgilbertva]

Next Up: Ryes

The Ryes I have seen under the Willett Family Reserve Label all have an off-white wax, cream with gold and forest green highlights on the label.

California Only

Willet Rye, first release, 22 yr, 136.7pf, Bernheim, distilled 4-10-84, KBD, warehouse G, rick 53, barrel #618, 263 bottles, for Doug Phillips/Ledgers Liquors in Berkeley in 2006

Review

:

www.maltadvocate.com/buyers-bo-WillettFamilyReserve.asp

Willet Rye, second release, 22yr, 136.7pf, Bernheim, barrel #8, for Doug Phillips/Ledgers Liquors in Berkeley in 2007

Plus a couple of 2yr ryes:

www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?p=114346

2008 Tranche - DC only

Willet Rye, "The Velvet Glove," 23yr, 137pf, distilled 4/10/84, Bernheim, warehouse B, rick NR2, barrel #11, 220 bottles, for Bourbon Restaurant

Willet Rye, "The Iron Fist," 23yr, 137.1pf, distilled 4/10/84, Bernheim, warehouse B, rick NR3, barrel #11, 211 bottles, for Bourbon Restaurant

2007 Tranche - DC only

Willet Rye, 24yr, 113pf, 24yr, distilled 5/10/83, distillery uncertain, warehouse G, rick 14, barrel 412, 24 bottles, for Ledroit Brands

[mgilbertva]

I know the Pot Still bottle is not part of this line, but while I'm at it, I've gathered info on the following barrels. The Pot Still is, after all, a single barrel offering.

Willett Single Barrel Estate Reserve, Pot Still style bottle, 94pf, 8-10yrs (est.),

• barrel #A-4614 (reviewed by Malt Advocate)
  
• barrel #6653, 238 bottles
  
• barrel #6658, 242 bottles
  
• barrel #8053, 253 bottles

[Rughi]

First up: Bourbons

The Bourbons I have seen under the Willett Family Reserve Label all have a maroon-brown wax, cream with gold and purple highlights on the label. From what I read, the East Bay Study Group did a couple private bottlings that used gold wax.

There are three California bottlings (rye or bourbon), unless someone unknown to us is now active. They have all been white label/white wax and all have been retailed through Ledger's Liquors in Berkeley. There have been two old ryes (credited to "Doug Philips" and "Doug and Neal") and one 4yo bourbon (credited to "EBSG" if distributed through group and "Ledger's Liquors" if retailed).

Doug and Toddy did a white label/gold wax 4yo bourbon.

I'm not sure what you mean by private bottlings. The system that Doug masterminded was a combined club and retailer system, and has been the model that the Toddy and all Ledger's bottlings have used. I think Jake has gone solely retail with his ventures, but I don't know of any private bottlings of Willett bourbons or ryes.

Roger

By the way, what does "tranche" mean?

[doubleblank]

You're right Roger as I think all releases TO DATE have been in conjunction with a retailer. I believe the "sponsoring" party/parties got substantial discounts for participating.

An SB'er did select their own private barrel during the Sampler. I don't think it has been bottled yet. He can reveal himself at his discretion.....I don't want to have him bombarded with requests for bottles.....since he's kindly promised me one.

Randy

[TNbourbon]

...Willet Rye, first release, 22 yr, 136.7pf, Bernheim, distilled 4-10-84, KBD, warehouse G, rick 53, barrel #618, 263 bottles, for Doug Phillips/Ledgers Liquors in Berkeley in 2006

Review

:

www.maltadvocate.com/buyers-bo-WillettFamilyReserve.asp

Willet Rye, second release, 22yr, 136.7pf, Bernheim, barrel #8, for Doug Phillips/Ledgers Liquors in Berkeley in 2007...

Coupla nit-picks:

• Willett is spelled with two 't's at the end. Since this is Drew's mother's family name (as well as that of the old distillery), seems appropriate to get it right.
  
• The first Willett rye only had Doug Phillips' name on the back, though the unsubscribed bottles were sold at retail by Ledger's:

[Rughi]

Coupla nit-picks:

And one further nit-pick:

The first rye back label that is attached misspelled Doug's last name. It should only have one 'l'.

Maybe we could trade an 'l' for a 't'.

[Rughi]

You're right Roger as I think all releases TO DATE have been in conjunction with a retailer....An SB'er did select their own private barrel during the Sampler...

Randy

Man, it used to be you had to go to the Bay Area to get some Willett. Now it's all over the place.

[TNbourbon]

Man, it used to be you had to go to the Bay Area to get some Willett. Now it's all over the place.

Who you kiddin', Roger?! I've had six of 'em (owned three), including the "East Bay" edition, without ever leaving Tennessee and Kentucky!

Good whiskey travels well in these circles.

[mgilbertva]

I'm not sure what you mean by private bottlings. The system that Doug masterminded was a combined club and retailer system, and has been the model that the Toddy and all Ledger's bottlings have used. I think Jake has gone solely retail with his ventures, but I don't know of any private bottlings of Willett bourbons or ryes.

Roger

By the way, what does "tranche" mean?

"Private" probably wasn't the best paraphrase of KBD's "barrel selection program." I probably should have said "independent" bottling, which is to say, it's program available to private parties, clubs and individual stores. Of course, by law any bottling then has to be sold through a licensed reseller in order to make sure the gov't gets their taxes.

Tranche is synonymous for selection, offering, release, etc. It was Jake's term, and I used it to avoid saying "release" over and over.

[mgilbertva]

Coupla nit-picks:

• Willett is spelled with two 't's at the end. Since this is Drew's mother's family name (as well as that of the old distillery), seems appropriate to get it right.
  
• The first Willett rye only had Doug Phillips' name on the back, though the unsubscribed bottles were sold at retail by Ledger's:

And one further nit-pick:

The first rye back label that is attached misspelled Doug's last name. It should only have one 'l'.

Maybe we could trade an 'l' for a 't'.

Doh. That was silly. I know the correct spellings, in fact I got it right in some places but then wrong in others. Sorry about that.

[wadewood]

I have seen a Willett 22 YO Rye that was bottled for somebody else (with name on back that was not part of any of our group). So, Drew has sold other barrels of this to who knows how many...

[AVB]

I somehow missed this one. Where can it be found or purchased?

Next Up: Ryes

The Ryes I have seen under the Willett Family Reserve Label all have an off-white wax, cream with gold and forest green highlights on the label.

Willet Rye, 24yr, 113pf, 24yr, distilled 5/10/83, distillery uncertain, warehouse G, rick 14, barrel 412, 24 bottles, for Ledroit Brands

[Jake_Parrott]

Ace Beverage has it. Not sure how many bottles though. We didn't get a whole barrel of that.

[mgilbertva]

Last I checked they had 2 bottles left.

[AVB]

Yep, 2 bottles at $200 each. I'm gonna have to think about that.

[doubleblank]

$200 each.....ouch. Makes the $60 per bottle I paid for a case of the Willett Rye 22yo "Doug Philips" release seem like a bargain. But I do recall Ledger's wanting about $150 for the retail release of it.

Randy

[CrashRiley]

Hey, if I had Rittenhouse 23-year on my shelf, it would be $225/bottle.

And I'm pretty certain that Rittenhouse made more than 24 bottles of that. (That's how many bottles were released of that Willett 24-year.)

If we still have it in 5 years, $200 might seem like a bargain the way liquor prices are going.

[AVB]

I'm glad I got mine for $150 a few miles (70 really) up the road from you

Hey, if I had Rittenhouse 23-year on my shelf, it would be $225/bottle.

[BourbonJoe]

Rating the old ryes (at least the ones I have)

Willett's #1 release - Very Good

Willett's #2 release - Very Good

LeNell's #1 release - Very Good

LeNell's #2 release - Excellent

LeNell wins!!!! Never tried any of the newer ones.

Joe :usflag: