Drink Review: Willett’s Pot Still Reserve Bourbon

October 6, 2020
2 mins read

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A big still-shaped decanter of Kentucky Bourbon Distiller’s excellent Willett Pot Still reserve. A small batch bourbon named for the founders of the distillery.

Willett’s Pot Still Reserve Bourbon Review:

This is a hard to find bourbon.I believe it is well worth the effort to procure some.This is one of my favorite. I generally prefer single barrel and small batch. You might think that means I’m about to rate this whiskey despicably low.

Appearance:

Willett Pot Still Reserve shows off an unusual hue of golden peaches. It is the child of a marriage between corn whiskey and rye whiskey. The mashbill consists of around 70% corn and the remainder being rye.

​Eyes: I see a moderately amber bourbon. The color reminds me of a small handcrafted wooden box I purchased as a gift some years ago. Someone had painted it a dark chestnut color with black paint they had mixed and applied themselves. In the sun it was a warm dark orange.

America is a land of arts and crafts.

Visual: Willett Pot Still Reserve shows off an unusual hue of golden peaches.It is the child of a marriage between corn whiskey and rye whiskey.The mashbill consists of around 70% corn and the remainder being rye.I see a moderately amber bourbon.The color reminds me of a small handcrafted wooden box I purchased as a gift some years ago.Someone had painted it a dark chestnut color with black paint they had mixed and applied themselves.In the sun it was a warm dark orange.America is a land of arts and crafts.Nose: I’m inhaling the delightful and distinctive oaky aroma I habitually desire in a fine bourbon.

It carries the usual overtones of vanilla beans, maple syrup and charred oak. There is also a slight smokiness. I’m happy.

Mouth: I’m always happy with a mouth feel of “ball-bearing grease.” You know the feeling: you’ve been eating Turkish kebabs. The meal is finished. The meat debris you’ve left laying about the place is oozy grease. This is not to imply the bourbon lining my mouth is of the same consistency as non-pork fat.

The mouth glide is subtle; but detectable. It’s good to feel the bourbon coating the tongue and coagulating on the upper palate.

Tongue: Willett Pot Still Reserve has a weighty mouth. It’s not a knock-your-head-off- or-rip-off-the-roof kind of heaviness. The bourbon combines the oaky and vanilla flavor vocations in its delivery.

It’s an oaky chewiness which is precisely what I’ve always dreamed of. And, it doesn’t come with any zippy sugar of corn. The corn is missing in action.

Finish: The finish shows a bit of burn, an oak charcoal smokiness and a lingering roast corn aftertaste.

Willett Pot Still Reserve is at its natural colour, without the addition of anything. The pour is quite easy, but is to be expected with a bourbon, and the nose is one of honey, vanilla, and spice. The nose on this Willett Pot Still Reserve is very inviting. 

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