Willett Pot Still Bourbon 1.75L

Willett Pot Still Bourbon 1.75L is a small batch wheated Kentucky bourbon bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof) in a 1.75-liter format. This expression earned a 95.5 rating in Jim Murray's 2012 Whisky Bible and Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, distinguishing it as one of the more critically acclaimed wheated bourbons in its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky  |  Small Batch  |  Distillery: Willett Distillery

Production & Heritage

Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, produces this bourbon from a mashbill of 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% malted barley — placing it firmly in the wheated bourbon category alongside names like Weller and Maker's Mark. The spirit undergoes double distillation, first through a copper and stainless steel column still, then through a Vendome copper pot still modeled after Willett's original patented design. Aged in new charred American oak barrels, each batch draws from approximately 12 barrels, making it a genuinely small batch operation by industry standards. The iconic bottle itself is a faithful replica of that same Willett pot still, a design that received a Double Gold for packaging at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla bean, caramelized sugar, and lemon cake, gradually giving way to delicate herbal notes of thyme and a whisper of coconut. It reads as refined and restrained rather than heavy-handed.

Taste: The entry is creamy and gently sweet, with vanilla and crème brûlée anchoring the mid-palate. As the bourbon develops, cinnamon spice and cedar wood shavings emerge alongside a lemon poppyseed quality and faint floral notes. A subtle hint of cane sugar and coffee deepens the palate toward the back.

Finish: Medium to long, with soft mint, earthy wood character, and lingering baking spice. The wheat-forward mashbill keeps the finish smooth and approachable rather than aggressive.

How to Drink Willett Pot Still

Neat or with a few drops of water is the most rewarding way to experience this bourbon — the lower heat at 94 proof makes it comfortable without dilution, though water opens up the floral and herbal layers. On the rocks works well for warm-weather sipping without drowning the more delicate notes.

In cocktails, the wheated profile makes it versatile: a Mint Julep plays naturally off the bourbon's soft mint and caramel backbone; an Old Fashioned benefits from the crème brûlée sweetness that pairs seamlessly with bitters and citrus oils; and a Paper Plane uses the wheat-driven smoothness to balance the cocktail's bitter, herbal components without competing for attention.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast — the distinctive pot still decanter makes it a shelf-worthy conversation piece
• Stocking a home bar with a versatile, cocktail-friendly wheated bourbon in a value-sized format
• Hosting bourbon tastings that compare wheated and traditional rye-forward mashbills side by side
• Daily sipping for drinkers who prefer a softer, less spice-forward bourbon profile

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Willett Pot Still taste like? Willett Pot Still leads with vanilla, caramel, and crème brûlée sweetness, balanced by cinnamon spice, cedar, and soft mint. The wheated mashbill gives it a creamy, smooth texture that distinguishes it from rye-heavy bourbons.

How does Willett Pot Still compare to Weller Special Reserve? Both are wheated bourbons from Kentucky, but Willett Pot Still is bottled at a slightly higher proof (94 vs. 90) and draws from much smaller batches of roughly 12 barrels compared to Weller's larger-scale Buffalo Trace production. Willett tends to show more cedar and herbal complexity, while Weller Special Reserve leans toward a lighter, grain-forward sweetness.

Is Willett Pot Still good for sipping neat? Yes — at 94 proof, it sits at a comfortable strength for neat sipping, and the wheat-forward mashbill keeps the palate soft and approachable. A few drops of water further open up its floral and citrus nuances.

Where is Willett Pot Still made? Willett Pot Still Bourbon is distilled and bottled at Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, located in the heart of bourbon country. The distillery uses its own Vendome copper pot still, a replica of the family's original patented design.

What foods pair well with Willett Pot Still? Smoked pork ribs complement the bourbon's caramel and wood character; pecan pie echoes its vanilla and brown sugar sweetness; aged Gouda mirrors the creamy texture; lemon tart amplifies the citrus brightness on the nose; and dark chocolate with sea salt draws out the deeper coffee and spice notes on the finish.

What sizes does Willett Pot Still come in? Willett Pot Still Bourbon is commonly available in 750ml and 1.75L formats, with the 1.75L offering the best value per pour for regular drinkers and entertainers.

Is Willett Pot Still worth the price? Willett Pot Still positions as a mid-range bourbon that punches above its price point, backed by a 95.5 rating from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible and multiple Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The small batch production and distinctive bottle add tangible value over many similarly priced options.

Why Willett Pot Still?

What separates Willett Pot Still from the field of wheated bourbons is the finishing distillation through a dedicated Vendome copper pot still — a method that adds textural richness and nuance that column-only distillation rarely achieves. The roughly 12-barrel batch size means greater consistency and curation in what reaches the bottle. Jim Murray's 95.5 score and repeated Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition validate what the liquid delivers: a balanced, layered wheated bourbon with genuine complexity. In a 1.75-liter format, it also represents one of the more practical ways to keep a critically recognized small batch bourbon on hand without rationing every pour.