Willett continues to be one of the hottest names in Kentucky bourbon and rye. The distillery, starting in 2008, built a cult following with its Family Estate line of sourced whiskeys, the origins of which still remain rumors (at least some barrels probably came from their Bardstown neighbor, Heaven Hill). In addition to Family Estate, Willett also hit the shelves early on with a more widely available bourbon called Pot Still Reserve. Until recent years, this was also a sourced single barrel product, but today it’s a blend of bourbons bottled in small batches from an unknown distillery (or distilleries) with no age statement. It is also presented in one of the most striking bottles out there: a pot still-shaped decanter with a big gold seal on the shoulder that demands a healthy amount of shelf space. We recently cleaned out the shelves at Drinkhacker HQ, so we finally had room to pick up a bottle. Thoughts follow.

On the nose, Pot Still Reserve shows a uniquely fruity bouquet: lemon frosting, ripe cherry, and mandarin orange. Underneath all that fruit are layers of butterscotch pudding, vanilla extract, and a touch of prickly spice. While Willett doesn’t share the source of this whiskey, it wouldn’t surprise me if some of this was their house-made bourbon because the sweet, fruity notes are strikingly similar to the latest Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond. The palate is light and a little thin but nicely balanced with classic bourbon flavors: caramel, toffee, candied pecans, spice cabinet, and orange peel. There’s a subtle bit of cocktail cherries on the medium-length finish, which again reminds me of Old Bardstown, but that bourbon has a slightly richer palate, higher proof, and a significantly lower price tag. Pot Still Reserve is solid stuff, but it doesn’t quite live up to its fancy packaging.

KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

The Original Wheated Bourbon Whiskey features an exceptionally smooth taste, substituting wheat for rye grain. Bottled at 90 proof, this bourbon stands out with its burnt orange color. Its softer flavor notes make this bourbon great for sipping or making cocktails.

TASTING NOTES

A sweet nose with a presence of caramel. Tasting notes of honey, butterscotch, and a soft woodiness. It's smooth, delicate and calm. Features a smooth finish with a sweet honeysuckle flair.

REVIEWS

Wine Enthusiast rating: 90 "Replacing the rye grain in our recipe with wheat provides for an exceptionally smooth taste. W. L. Weller is a truly outstanding buy." -Wine Enthusiast Magazine

AWARDS

Most recent awards

2020 Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2019 Gold Medal - New York World Spirits Competition

2019 Silver Outstanding Medal - Whiskies of the World

2019 Silver Medal - North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition

2019 Gold Medal - Los Angeles International Spirits Competition

2019 Silver Medal - American Whiskey Masters

2019 Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2019 Silver Medal - World Whiskies Awards

2019 Silver Medal - Denver International Spirits Competition

2018 Silver Medal - New York International Spirits Competition

Willett continues to be one of the hottest names in Kentucky bourbon and rye. The distillery, starting in 2008, built a cult following with its Family Estate line of sourced whiskeys, the origins of which still remain rumors (at least some barrels probably came from their Bardstown neighbor, Heaven Hill). In addition to Family Estate, Willett also hit the shelves early on with a more widely available bourbon called Pot Still Reserve. Until recent years, this was also a sourced single barrel product, but today it’s a blend of bourbons bottled in small batches from an unknown distillery (or distilleries) with no age statement. It is also presented in one of the most striking bottles out there: a pot still-shaped decanter with a big gold seal on the shoulder that demands a healthy amount of shelf space. We recently cleaned out the shelves at Drinkhacker HQ, so we finally had room to pick up a bottle. Thoughts follow.

On the nose, Pot Still Reserve shows a uniquely fruity bouquet: lemon frosting, ripe cherry, and mandarin orange. Underneath all that fruit are layers of butterscotch pudding, vanilla extract, and a touch of prickly spice. While Willett doesn’t share the source of this whiskey, it wouldn’t surprise me if some of this was their house-made bourbon because the sweet, fruity notes are strikingly similar to the latest Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond. The palate is light and a little thin but nicely balanced with classic bourbon flavors: caramel, toffee, candied pecans, spice cabinet, and orange peel. There’s a subtle bit of cocktail cherries on the medium-length finish, which again reminds me of Old Bardstown, but that bourbon has a slightly richer palate, higher proof, and a significantly lower price tag. Pot Still Reserve is solid stuff, but it doesn’t quite live up to its fancy packaging.

Four Roses Bourbon Small Batch Select Kentucky 750Ml

Description

Aged for four to six years and finished in port casks, this bourbon earned a score of 98 points from Wine Enthusiast and earned five stars from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.

Flavor Profile

Notes of sweet caramel, raisins and toffee that fade into notes of cinnamon and a touch of vanilla. The long finish has hints of dark chocolate and caramelized fruit, with just a touch of cherry.

Uncle Nearest 1856 is an award-winning blend of 8-14 year old barrels, bottled at 100 proof. Uncle Nearest is astonishingly smooth, and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite whiskey or bourbon cocktail.
 
In 2017, Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey launched in the United States. Honoring the first African American master distiller, this premium whiskey swiftly rolled out throughout the U.S. and abroad, and can now be found in 50 States, 10 Countries, and shipped to over 148 countries in the world. Uncle Nearest is now the Fastest-Growing Independent American Whiskey Brand in U.S. History.
 
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey has garnered more than 125 awards and accolades throughout the world, including including “Top 5 Whiskies in the World” by Cigar & Spirits Magazine and “World’s Best” by Whisky Magazine two years in a row. Uncle Nearest was the most awarded premium American whiskey of 2019.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES:
• 90 Rating - Wine Enthusiast
• 95 Rating - Ultimate Spirits Challenge
• 96 Rating - Tastings.com

Eagle Rare 10 Year

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is masterfully crafted and carefully aged for no less than ten years. The rareness of this great breed of bourbon is evident in its complex aroma, as well as the smooth and lingering taste. Eagle Rare is a bourbon that lives up to its name with its lofty, distinctive taste experience.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Complex aromas of toffee, hints of orange peel, herbs, honey, leather and oak.

Taste: Bold, dry, oaky flavors with notes of candied almonds and very rich cocoa.

Finish: Dry and lingering.

Mix up your favorite cocktail with a sophisticated, contemporary flair with this worldwide favorite. Enjoy this smooth and mellow Bourbon with its long and soft finish. Savor its unique aromas and flavors in your favorite Bourbon cocktail, on the rocks, or with a splash. 80 proof. 40% alcohol/volume.

Description

Buffalo Trace Distillery, situated in Frankfort, KY, is the oldest continuously operating Spirit-making establishment in the United States. Distilling started in 1775 by the Lee Brothers and it was allowed to stay open during Prohibition to produce “medicinal Whiskey”. We know, them lucky doctors. Since 1999, the legendary distillery is owned by Sazerac, who moved the production of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve and Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon to Buffalo Trace in 2002. To add another name to this brief history, Julian “Pappy” van Winkle was an industrious man who became an important influence in Bourbonland by accident. He was looking for a job, and W. L. Weller & Sons was hiring. He eventually owned the business and produced top-notch Spirit and raised the bar for everyone else.

Flavor Profile

Description

Description

The world’s first single barrel bourbon was created in 1984 by Elmer T. Lee. Named after former distillery president Colonel Albert B. Blanton. Elmer recalled how Colonel Blanton would sometimes handpick a ‘honey barrel’ from the center of Warehouse H to enjoy with others.  Many years later, the Blanton’s brand was created. Today, Blanton’s Single Barrel has become one of the most revered and award-winning bourbons on the market.  The Gold Edition was the second version created, after the Original 93 proof.  This 103 proof Blanton’s Gold is very limited, but a favorite among discerning bourbon aficionados.

Flavor Profile 

Description

Made exclusively for the Japanese market, this is similar to the original Single Barrel Bourbon except that it is aged for an additional few years, LiquorVerse is one of the few companies in the world to have access to this product 

Flavor Profile

Description

Our Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged for a minimum of 6 years, is exceptional by all measures: smooth and lasting with notes of baking spices and vanilla layered over a bed of toasted oak.

A premium Single Barrel Bourbon with a taste you’ll want to savor again and again. Complex, full bodied and surprisingly smooth with a delicate long finish that’s unbelievably mellow.

Coming from the great master distiller Parker Beam, the Elijah Craig bourbon has to be one of the best-value bourbons on the market! Great balance of sweetness and spice. Also, at 94 proof, it has just the right amount of kick.

PRODUCT STORY & FLAVOR PROFILE

In 1789, Elijah Craig discovered greatness when he first charred oak barrels to make Bourbon. Today, we honor his innovative spirit with Toasted Barrel: a unique expression that is charred to start and toasted to finish. This expression takes our award-winning Small Batch and finishes it in a second, custom toasted barrel for an added layer of sweet oak complexity. The result is a 94-proof Bourbon with notes of baking spices & chocolate, and a long, smooth finish.

FLAVOR CHART

Description

Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is crafted to honor a watershed moment in bourbon history – the U.S. Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. This expression follows the Bottled in Bond standards that whisky must be aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years, the product of one distillation season, one distiller and from one distillery and bottled at 100 Proof. The concept behind these regulations – the idea of ‘sealed in quality’ – was something Old Forester introduced in 1870, as America’s First Bottled Bourbon.

Taste Profile

Rich vanilla with roasted coffee notes, spiced dark fruit and mature oak. Mouth-filling. Sweet and intense.

Description

Named after Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee, this whiskey is hand selected and bottled to the taste and standards which were set forth by Elmer T. Lee himself. Perfectly balanced and rich, as declared by the man who knew how great bourbon should taste.

Flavor Profile

The nose brings notes of clove, vanilla, and old leather. The flavor balances fruit, honey and vanilla with a light spiciness. A long and warm finish.

Description 

Flavor Profile

Description

Description

1792 Small Batch Bourbon is sophisticated and complex. A distinctly different bourbon created with precise craftsmanship. Made from our signature "high rye" recipe and the marriage of select barrels carefully chosen by our Master Distiller. 1792 Bourbon has an expressive and elegant flavor profile.

Tasting Notes

Unmistakable spice mingles with sweet caramel and vanilla to create a bourbon that is incomparably brash and bold, yet smooth and balanced. Elevating whiskey to exceptional new heights, 1792 Bourbon is celebrated by connoisseurs worldwide.

Description

This Kentucky Bourbon pays tribute to the earliest days of the Distillery’s history when in 1939 it released Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond. The namesake brand quickly became the number-one-selling Bourbon whiskey in the state of Kentucky. Still today, the craftsmanship poured into this bottle by the same founding family meets the exacting standards first set forth in the Bottled-in-Bond act of 1897.

Flavor Profile

Smooth, warm and sweet with a subtle rye spice note; caramel and honey mingle with just enough oak and char to round out the richness.

Description

Flavor Profile

Description

Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea Bourbon is matured in American oak casks for approximately seven to eight years on land, before the casks are placed on a ship and allowed to rest for another five to ten months at sea. At sea, the bourbon and oak casks are forced to mingle with each other as the ship rolls back and forth over the water. In addition, the temperature and barometric pressure fluctuations during the sea voyage cause the oak staves to expand and contract, and allow the bourbon to extract more of the tannins and flavor from the oak during its maturation. "This limited release whiskey aged beautifully," says Trey Zoeller, Jefferson’s founder and master blender.

Flavor Profile

Thick notes of butterscotch, vanilla, brown sugar, and salted caramel dominate the palate.

Woodford Reserve Wheat is based on historical recipes but influenced by the iconic core Woodford Reserve Bourbon brand. With wheat as the dominant grain – at 52%, followed by malt (20%), corn (20%) and rye (8%) – this uniquely crafted whiskey boasts fruit and floral flavors.

NOSE

Aromatic spiced (cinnamon and cedar) and cooked fruit (apple, pear, banana) mingle with a delicate floral character sweetened with light vanilla bean and brown sugar notes.

TASTE

Spicy applesauce and toasted coconut notes enliven an earthy mint and cocoa nib mix.

FINISH

Dry, subtle cocoa nibs and lingering apple peel.

Description

Very rare to fine bourbon a must have for all collectors. This highly anticipated Weller bourbon is bottled at the same 114 proof the spirit was when it entered into the barrel. Having a nose of vanilla, dark cherries and caramel. On the palate, there is a balance of caramel and toasted oak. The finish is said to be long, with notes of crème brûlée and chocolate.