Whisky Review/Tasting: Willett Pot Still Reserve

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: The Willett Distillery is located near Bardstown, Kentucky. The distillery itself is situated on a hill surrounded by warehouses.
Type: Bourbon.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The spirit is bought from Heaven Hill and matured in Willett's warehouses. The distillation process involves a column still and a doubler, contrary to what the pot still-shaped bottle might suggest.
Age Statement: Not explicitly mentioned, but the distillery reopened in 2012, and the first whiskey from their own distillate was expected in 2016. This particular whiskey is from Heaven Hill's distillate.
Color and Bottle Design: The bottle design is notably shaped like a pot still, reflecting the distillery's name and misleadingly suggesting pot still distillation. The color and clarity of the whiskey itself are not described.

Balance of Flavors: The whiskey presents a mix between bourbon and rye characteristics, leaning towards a spicier profile.
Unique Characteristics: It has a more earthy tone rather than the standard bourbon profile of vanilla and caramel. The presence of oak is noted, but it's not bitter.
Comparison: The flavor profile is described as an intermixture between a bourbon and a rye, or a spicier bourbon. It has 47% alcohol, which adds a bit more kick and helps transport the flavors.

Anecdotes: The host shares a personal story of visiting the distillery, including the challenge of not being able to film there and breaking the cork of the bottle.
Trivia: The distillery's location and its proximity to Heaven Hill, including a reference to Heaven Hill's fire incident, are mentioned.

The Willett Distillery's geographical context is highlighted, emphasizing its location in Bardstown, Kentucky, a significant area for bourbon production. The story of Heaven Hill's fire and the distillery's proximity to Willett adds a layer of historical context.

"It's not the standard bourbon that is very very vanilla and caramel-like. A bit more aggressive with spices."
"This resembles the pot still inside the Willett distillery... but they distill on their column still and they finish their spirit on the pot still."

The Willett Pot Still Reserve is a bourbon with a misleading bottle design suggesting pot still distillation, while it actually involves a column still and a doubler.
The whiskey has a spicier profile, with earthy tones and a subtle presence of vanilla, distinguishing it from typical bourbons.
The spirit is sourced from Heaven Hill but matured in Willett's warehouses, with the distillery's own distillate expected to debut in 2016.
The review includes personal anecdotes from the host's visit to the distillery and references to the geographical and historical context of the area.
The whiskey is described as an intermixture between bourbon and rye, offering a unique flavor profile that might appeal to those looking for a spicier bourbon.

Bourbon Enthusiasts: Those interested in exploring bourbons with a unique twist or a spicier profile than the standard offerings.
Rye Whiskey Lovers: Given its flavor profile that leans towards rye characteristics, rye enthusiasts might find this bourbon intriguing.
Collectors: The unique pot still-shaped bottle makes it a visually appealing addition to any collection.
Whiskey Explorers: Individuals looking to explore the nuances of whiskey production and maturation processes, especially the impact of sourcing and maturing spirits from different distilleries.