Distillery
Willett
Willett is a family-owned distillery based in Bardstown, Kentucky (USA), known for a range of bourbon and rye whiskeys marketed both as small-batch and single-barrel. The best-known brands include Johnny Drum, Noah’s Mill and Old Bardstown.
- Bardstown · Kentucky · United States
- Since 1936
- 4 products
The story
The company was founded as Willett Distilling Company in 1936 and barreled its first batch in 1937. Over the 20th century the business went through periods of halted production and name changes (including Kentucky Bourbon Distillers - KBD). The Kulsveen family relaunched operations and, beginning in 2012, Willett resumed on-site distillation in addition to continuing to bottle and market its labels.
Production philosophy
Family-managed production that emphasizes Kentucky bourbon tradition and expressions in small-batch and single-barrel formats. It offers both family releases (Willett Family Estate) and historic commercial brands, combining curated bottlings with direct production.
Territory
Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky, United States (historic family-owned site; included in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail circuit - craft/independent tour).
Awards and recognition
Double Gold (packaging design) - San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2008 (recognition related to the design of the Willett Pot Still Reserve decanter).
Production method
Historically Willett also operated as a bottler using distillates purchased from third parties; since 2012 it has brought its own equipment back online. The company operates distillation units including a column still, a pot still and a "doubler," and uses on-site warehouses for barrel aging.
Distillation
Combined use of column and pot still with a "doubler"; historically part of production was also assembled from purchased distillates, while on-site distillation has increased since 2012.
Ageing
Aging in barrels stored in warehouses; for expressions classified as bourbon, new charred American oak barrels are used according to the product's typical regulations.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Bardstown
- Categories
- bourbon
- single-barrel bourbon
- small-batch bourbon
- rye whiskey
- independent bottler
- Raw materials
- grains (corn, rye, malted barley)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- new American oak barrels (charred)
- Representative products
- Whisky Johnny DRum Private Stock 70cl - Willett
- Whisky Noah’s Mill 70cl - Willett
- Whisky Old Bardstown 70cl - Willett
- Whisky Old Bardstown Estate Bottled 70cl - Willett
What makes it distinctive
- Family-owned company with roots in the first half of the 20th century
- Founded as Willett Distilling Company (1936) with first barreling in 1937
- Period trading as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) and later return to the Willett name
- Resumed on-site distillation beginning in 2012
- Notable lines: Johnny Drum, Noah’s Mill, Old Bardstown; offers small-batch and single-barrel releases