Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon

Product Description

Willett Pot Still Reserve: The Bourbon in the Bottle Everyone Recognizes

Willett Pot Still Reserve is one of the most recognizable bottles on any bourbon shelf. It comes in a copper-colored decanter shaped like a pot still, and the bottle is an exact replica of the patented Willett pot still built by Vendome Copper and Brass. The decanter was conceived by Even Kulsveen, and it connects what is in the bottle to the equipment and the family behind Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. The bottle even won a Double Gold medal for packaging design at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the bourbon inside earned a Gold Medal for taste.

Pot Still Reserve was introduced in 2008 as a single barrel bourbon and has been bottled as a small batch Kentucky straight bourbon since around 2015. According to Willett, small batches use no more than about 12 barrels. It's bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV), and the label states it's distilled, aged, and bottled by Willett Distillery.

How Willett Pot Still Reserve Is Made

Pot Still Reserve is a wheated bourbon, built on a mash bill of 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% malted barley. The wheat swaps the spicy bite of rye for a softer, rounder, sweeter profile. The whiskey enters the barrel at 115 proof, matures in new charred American oak, and is blended in small batches before bottling at 94 proof. As a straight bourbon, it's at least four years old. It carries no age statement.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, and honey, with soft oak, toasted corn, and bright citrus peel, often described as vanilla lemon cake.

Palate: A balance of caramel, vanilla, baking spice, and citrus, with a smooth, rounded wheated sweetness and a touch of pepper.

Finish: Medium, warm, and smooth, with lingering caramel, light oak, and spice.

Food Pairings

The caramel and vanilla character of Pot Still Reserve pairs well with grilled pork chops, glazed ham, and barbecue chicken. It also goes with aged cheddar, pecan pie, and crème brûlée, and the citrus note makes it a good match for lemon tart or peach cobbler.

Serving Suggestions

Pot Still Reserve is best sipped neat or with a few drops of water, so the vanilla and citrus come through. A large ice cube also works. At 94 proof, it holds its shape in spirit-forward cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Many people keep the bottle after it's empty, since the pot still decanter makes a good display piece or candle holder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is Willett Pot Still Reserve? 94 proof (47% ABV).

What is the mash bill? 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% malted barley, making it a wheated bourbon.

Is it single barrel or small batch? Small batch today, using up to about 12 barrels per batch. It was originally released as a single barrel bourbon in 2008.

How old is it? It has no age statement. As a straight bourbon, it's at least four years old.

Why is the bottle shaped like a pot still? The decanter is an exact replica of the patented Willett pot still built by Vendome Copper and Brass.

Is it a good gift? Yes. The distinctive bottle makes it a popular gift for bourbon fans.

Where is it made? By Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Explore More

Want to try it in a smaller format? Check out the Willett Pot Still Reserve 50ml 6-Pack. Browse our full Bourbon collection for more Kentucky bourbons, or shop our Whiskey Bundles for curated bourbon sets.

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