Willett Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye is one of the most sought after American rye whiskeys in the country, a cult favorite from the historic Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. The Willett family has been making whiskey in Kentucky since the 19th century, and after decades of sourcing, they returned to distilling their own spirit on site in the early 2010s. This four year old rye, drawn from that acclaimed in house production, has earned a devoted following and a reputation as a genuine rare release. It is built as a marriage of two distinct Willett rye mashbills, a high rye recipe and a low rye recipe commingled to mimic the fuller, fruit and spice driven profile of historic Maryland style rye, then aged four years in hand selected charred American white oak barrels in the estate's metal clad rickhouse. Crucially, it is non chill filtered and hand bottled at cask strength, so every batch is individually proofed straight from the barrel; this bottling comes in at 53.8 percent ABV, or 107.6 proof, a touch more approachable than some batches while losing none of its depth. It pours a rich amber and opens with tart and brandied cherry, baking spice, cinnamon, and creamy vanilla. The palate is robust and full bodied, layering dark cherries, charred vanilla, caramel, and classic peppery rye spice with a sweet, almost bourbon like accent, while the finish is long and velvety, with lingering spice, toasted grain, and cherry. Bearing the distinctive Willett family crest and released in limited, allocated quantities, it is a prize for any rye lover or serious whiskey collector, and rewards slow sipping neat or with a few drops of water.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Willett (Family Estate Bottled) |
| Distillery |
The Willett Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky |
| Producer |
The Willett Distillery (Kentucky Bourbon Distillers) |
| Category |
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey |
| Expression |
Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye, 4 Year, Cask Strength (Rare Release) |
| Age Statement |
4 Years |
| Mashbill |
Marriage of Willett high rye (74% rye, 11% corn, 15% malted barley) and low rye (51% rye, 34% corn, 15% malted barley) |
| Maturation |
Aged 4 years in hand selected charred American white oak; non chill filtered |
| Bottling |
Small batch, hand bottled at cask strength; allocated rare release |
| ABV |
53.8% |
| Proof |
107.6 (this batch; cask strength varies by batch) |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber.
Nose: Tart and brandied cherry, baking spice, cinnamon, and creamy vanilla.
Palate: Robust and full bodied, with dark cherries, charred vanilla, caramel, and peppery rye spice.
Finish: Long and velvety, with lingering rye spice, toasted grain, and cherry.
FAQ
What proof is this bottle? 107.6 proof, or 53.8 percent ABV. It is hand bottled at cask strength, and because each batch is individually proofed, the exact figure varies from bottle to bottle.
How old is it? Aged four years in hand selected charred white oak barrels at the Willett estate.
What is the mashbill? A marriage of two Willett rye recipes, a high rye and a low rye, blended to echo a historic Maryland style rye with both fruit and spice.
Is it distilled by Willett? Yes. This rye comes from Willett's own on site distillation, which resumed in the early 2010s, rather than sourced whiskey.
Why is it hard to find? It is a small batch, cask strength rare release made in limited, allocated quantities, with a strong cult following among rye enthusiasts.
Where can I buy Willett Family Estate Rye online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
