Willett Pot Still Reserve is one of the most recognizable bottles in American bourbon — a hand-blown glass decanter designed as an exact replica of the patented Willett pot still built by Vendome Copper and Brass. The Willett Distilling Company has been part of Bardstown, Kentucky since 1935, making it one of the region's most storied family-owned distilleries across four generations. Introduced in 2008 and initially released as a single barrel expression, the Pot Still Reserve won a Gold Medal for taste and a Double Gold Medal for packaging at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition — the bottle design alone becoming one of the most awarded in bourbon history. It is now released as a small batch of no more than 12 barrels, aged 8 to 10 years, with a wheated mash bill of 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% malted barley. Each bottle is labeled with its batch number. Bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof).
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
Willett Distillery (Kentucky Bourbon Distillers), Bardstown, Kentucky — family owned since 1935 |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Small Batch, Wheated |
| Mash Bill |
65% corn, 20% wheat, 15% malted barley |
| Age |
8 to 10 years — batch labeled on each bottle |
| Batch Size |
No more than 12 barrels per batch |
| Awards |
Gold Medal Taste + Double Gold Medal Packaging, SFWSC 2008 | 90pts Malt Advocate 2008 |
| Bottle |
Exact replica of the Willett pot still built by Vendome Copper and Brass — hand-blown glass decanter |
| Proof |
94 Proof |
| ABV |
47% |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States, Bardstown, Kentucky |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep mahogany amber — rich and strikingly clear
Nose: Vanilla lemon cake, jasmine, caramel, sweet corn, cinnamon, and ginger. Soft and elegant with ripe summer cherry, citrus, and a faint hint of buttered popcorn.
Palate: Balanced caramel, vanilla, spice, and citrus. Rye spice and oak build through the mid-palate with honey and maple beneath. Velvety smooth from the wheated mash bill.
Finish: Long, warming, and dry — brown sugar, honey, tobacco, and lingering oak with cinnamon spice.
FAQ
Is the bottle actually shaped like a pot still?
Yes — the Willett Pot Still bottle is an exact glass replica of the patented Willett pot still manufactured by Vendome Copper and Brass, a legendary still-making company in Louisville, Kentucky. The Double Gold Medal at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for packaging design was awarded specifically for this bottle, making it one of the most iconic decanters in all of American bourbon.
Where can I buy Willett Pot Still Reserve online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast, insured shipping nationwide.
