Willet 8 Year Wheated Bourbon 750ML

Willett 8 Year Wheated Bourbon 750ML is a non-chill filtered, 108-proof Kentucky straight bourbon aged eight years in heavily charred American oak (54% ABV, 750ml). Distilled at Willett Distillery in Bardstown using their own copper pot and column stills, this wheated expression stands apart through its combination of meaningful age, barrel-proof intensity, and an uncommonly creamy mouthfeel driven by a wheat-forward mashbill.

Quick Facts: ABV: 54% (108 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 8 Years  |  Distillery: Willett Distillery

Production & Heritage

Willett Distillery has deep roots in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the historic hearts of American bourbon production. The distillery uses a copper and stainless steel column still alongside a Vendome copper pot still modeled after Willett's original patented design. This 8 Year Wheated Bourbon is built on a mashbill of 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% malted barley, entered the barrel at 115 proof, and spent a full eight years maturing in #4 char (deep alligator char) American oak barrels. The liquid is bottled without chill filtration, preserving the natural oils and texture that heavy charring and extended aging develop. The first release of this expression was distilled in early spring 2013 and bottled in summer 2022.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with layers of caramel and vanilla bean before giving way to warm cornbread and baking spice. Underneath, toasted oak and a subtle grain sweetness round out a complex, inviting bouquet.

Taste: The entry is rich with honey and butterscotch, supported by the signature wheat-driven creaminess that distinguishes this mashbill from higher-rye bourbons. At mid-palate, dried fruits and nutmeg emerge alongside subtle cocoa, while a gentle nuttiness and measured pepper spice build toward the peak. The 108-proof backbone delivers serious weight without harshness.

Finish: Long and warming, with caramel sweetness and toasted oak that linger well after each sip. A pleasant butterscotch note hangs on the palate, underscored by a quiet thread of baking spice that slowly fades.

How to Drink Willett 8 Year Wheated

This bourbon rewards neat sipping at room temperature, where its non-chill filtered body and 108-proof concentration reveal the full depth of the wheat-forward profile. A few drops of water open up additional dried fruit and cocoa notes without diminishing the texture. For cocktails, consider an Old Fashioned, where the caramel and vanilla core shine against a simple sugar and bitters framework; a Boulevardier, where the bourbon's weight and sweetness hold their own against Campari and sweet vermouth; or a Paper Plane, where the creamy mouthfeel balances the cocktail's citrus and amaro components.

Best For

• Wheated bourbon enthusiasts exploring craft distillery alternatives to the Buffalo Trace wheated lineup
• Gifting a serious whiskey collector who appreciates non-chill filtered, age-stated releases
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated versus high-rye mashbill bourbons
• After-dinner sipping on a quiet evening when the spirit can be given full attention

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Willett 8 Year Wheated taste like? It delivers a rich, sweet profile led by honey, caramel, and butterscotch with a notably creamy texture from the 20% wheat mashbill. Dried fruit, subtle cocoa, and baking spice add complexity, finishing long and warm.

How does Willett 8 Year Wheated compare to Weller Antique 107? Both are wheated bourbons bottled near barrel proof, but Willett carries an 8-year age statement and is non-chill filtered, while Weller Antique 107 is a no-age-statement release at a slightly lower 107 proof. Weller Antique is widely regarded as an exceptional value in the wheated category, whereas the Willett expression trades on its age transparency, craft distillery provenance, and fuller unfiltered body.

Is Willett 8 Year Wheated good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the non-chill filtered bottling at 108 proof delivers substantial body and rich flavor concentration that rewards undiluted sipping. A few drops of water can also help open the aroma without sacrificing texture.

Where is Willett 8 Year Wheated made? It is distilled and aged entirely at Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, using the distillery's own copper pot and column stills. Bardstown sits in the heart of Kentucky's bourbon-producing region, home to some of the most storied distilleries in American whiskey.

What foods pair well with Willett 8 Year Wheated? Its caramel and honey sweetness pairs naturally with pecan pie and dark chocolate truffles. Smoked pork belly or maple-glazed bacon complement the oak and spice notes. Aged Gouda or Gruyère cheese match the bourbon's richness and nutty undertones.

What sizes does Willett 8 Year Wheated come in? The standard release is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Willett 8 Year Wheated worth the price? This expression positions in the premium tier of American wheated bourbons, justified by its eight-year age statement, non-chill filtered bottling, and craft-distillery production in Willett's own copper stills. For drinkers who value transparency in age and production, it represents a meaningful step above mass-market wheated bourbons.

Why Willett 8 Year Wheated?

What sets this bourbon apart is the convergence of specifics: a fully disclosed 65/20/15 mashbill, eight years in deeply charred oak, barrel-entry at 115 proof, and bottling without chill filtration — all from whiskey distilled on site at Willett's own copper stills rather than sourced from another producer. In a wheated bourbon market dominated by the Buffalo Trace family of brands, Willett's entry offers a genuinely different distillate character rooted in their particular still configuration and barrel program. The result is a bourbon that delivers the creamy, approachable sweetness wheated fans seek, layered with enough oak depth and proof-driven intensity to hold the attention of experienced drinkers. For anyone building a serious wheated bourbon shelf, this is a release that earns its place on distillery pedigree, production integrity, and sheer drinking quality.