Willett Family Estate bottled single barrels are among the most sought after releases in American whiskey, and each one is genuinely unique. This bottle comes from Barrel No. 5262, aged eight years in hand selected white oak and hand bottled at 61.0% ABV, a full 122.0 proof, straight from that single cask with no dilution. The age, barrel number and proof are all written onto the label by hand, so no two bottles in the programme are quite alike. Willett has been a Bardstown, Kentucky family operation since 1936, and the distillery resumed its own production in 2012 after decades of sourcing and bottling. The Family Estate line is the house's flagship, and the purple wax dipped neck marks this as one of the higher proof bottlings in the range. It pours a deep burnished amber. The nose is rich and concentrated, with dark caramel, vanilla and dried cherry over toasted oak, leather and warm baking spice. The palate is thick and mouthcoating, layering brown sugar, cocoa, cinnamon and stone fruit with a firm oak backbone that carries the proof without turning harsh. The finish is long and warming, closing on seasoned wood, spice and lingering sweetness. A few drops of water or a large cube will open it considerably. Best enjoyed neat and unhurried, as a bottle worth taking time over.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
61.0% |
| Proof |
122.0 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel |
| Age |
8 Years |
| Barrel No. |
5262 |
| Maturation |
Hand selected white oak barrels |
| Distillery |
Willett Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky |
| Bottling |
Family estate bottled, hand bottled |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep burnished amber.
Nose: Dark caramel, vanilla and dried cherry over toasted oak, leather and warm baking spice.
Palate: Thick and mouthcoating, with brown sugar, cocoa, cinnamon and stone fruit over firm oak.
Finish: Long and warming, with seasoned wood, spice and lingering sweetness.
FAQ
What proof is this bottle?
This barrel is 61.0% ABV, which is 122.0 proof. Proof varies from barrel to barrel across the Family Estate programme.
What does single barrel mean here?
Every bottle comes from one individual cask rather than a blend, so the age, barrel number and proof are written on each label by hand.
Which barrel is this?
Barrel No. 5262, aged eight years.
Who makes Willett?
The Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, a family operation since 1936 that resumed its own distilling in 2012.
How should I drink it?
Neat first, then a few drops of water or a large ice cube to soften the strength and open up the sweetness.
Where can I buy Willett Family Estate single barrel online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
