Review #40 Willett Pot Still Reserve: Bourbon

Score: 6.6 / 10

Distillery: Willett

Type: Craft Kentucky Straight

This craft distillery is aging, but commonly buys other whiskeys and blends them to create their product. They are making moves to become a best whiskey brand. It's hard not to notice this bourbon as you walk past it. There is likely not going to be another pot still bottle on the shelf. However, to me it's always appeared gimmicky to I don't trust it. One recent Dallas whiskey run didn't leave me with too many choices due to poor selection and I needed to pick something up. You won this time Willett Pot Still. I slowly gained more excitement to try it on the drive home, learning that it was an 8-10 yr approximate bourbon and after dinner it was cracked.

First note. It sounds absolutely ridiculous to pour in a glass. So much glugging and chugging, leaving it difficult to pour that exact amount that you are going for. I then handed them out and gave a nosing and finally a taste. I looked around and asked, "So, what do you guys think?" I received an, " I like it" and a, "I'm enjoying it". To which I replied, "I absolutely hate it"

Now here's why. It does not have a good, typical bourbon profile. It tastes cheap and not well crafted. Which in my opinion should not happen to a bourbon referred to as a 8-10yr bourbon, or at this price point of north of $50. You definitely need a palate for it. With that said, if you enjoy Fireside Colorado Bourbon Whiskey, or sipping Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey (not truly a whiskey by US standards), then you might actually love this. I personally do not.

Whiskey Review:

Nose: Immediate abuse of ethanol, subtle cognac, kids cinnamon candy, oak, ginger, hints of necatarine

Palate: strong cinnamon candy, virgin un-charred oak (though not likely aged this way), nuts, lemon, subtle rye spices

Finish: Medium, strong cinnamon candy, brown sugar, granulated table sugar, medium ethanol, herbs and subtle spices

Score: 6.6

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Notes: Availability? Common. I see these often, and with so many differing opinions that I have heard on this, I think it's going to stay that way. I also don't see too much allocated whiskey coming down the line for these guys either.