Willett Family Estate Bottled Bourbon

Barrel 12K09-2136, Warehouse A, Floor 2, Rick 11. Barrel date - 11/9/12, Bottle date - 7/5/19, BTL 50/58, 124.8 Proof. First pour in a Norlan glass, allowed to sit for 15 minutes. Added a splash of water. The nose has sticky sweet honey and vanilla upfront, with big notes of cherry and orange zest, dark chocolate, nougat, nutmeg, and cinnamon blending beautifully. Cherry cola notes also linger. The aroma is very seamless, though perhaps a bit subdued for the proof. The palate first presents honey and vanilla, followed by notes of fruity pastry – think pear and cherry tart with orange whipped cream. However, before these sweet elements dominate, there's a nice hit of oak char and pumpkin pie spice. The mouthfeel is superb, with great viscosity and weight, and less burn than expected. What truly stands out in this bourbon is the finish, which is dominated by chocolate malted milk balls, vanilla, and orange zest, lasting for minutes. Absolutely stellar and memorable. My first WFE experience, and I'm quite impressed with what they've packed into this bottle over 6+ years.

This is not a whiskey for sipping, nor is it suitable for cocktails. The aroma is vibrant and slightly stings the nose. Upon contact with the tongue, I detect peanut brittle, followed by apricot preserves mixed with orange peel. The finish is floral, perhaps even herbal, and quite aromatic overall. After the aromatic notes dissipate from the nose, the mouth experiences an assertive burn and a peculiar, heavy, chocolaty stout aftertaste that lingers. It's genuinely strange! This would be an ideal bourbon for a gathering or tasting with companions who appreciate intricate bourbons. Regardless of perspective, this is a premium dram. I would certainly sample it again!

Nose: Cherry! Sweet and a bit tart, like cherry syrup for shaved ice. Body: Wow! A true cherry overload that I enjoy. It has a pleasant dark sugar taste and a hint of spice. Finish: Cherry, tobacco, and sweet tea persist. It coats the mouth with firm tannins and just a touch of mint. Comment: I really liked this! It was rich and drank easily neat, but a few drops of water made it even better. This was a six-year barrel selection chosen by a group in Houston.

16 years old. Batch 1597. Bottle 31 out of 106. 123.0 proof. Purchased for $265 at the distillery on 5/26/2018. This changed my perception of what bourbon could and should be. Nose: Fruit, oak, herbs, and sweetness. Palate: Rich, sweet, and viscous, with flavors that just keep going. Fig, plum, raisins, a molasses-like sweetness, apple, cherry. Finish... incredible. It lasts indefinitely. The spice is subtle. No harshness, no burn, just smooth flavor for an extended period. An A+ bourbon. Unmatched, even compared to the Pappy 23.

I sampled this beauty a short while ago. I found it quite enjoyable, which is unusual for me as rye whiskies aren't typically my preference. The nose presented abundant red fruits, notably strawberry. The palate was very sweet with a noticeable kick; its spice of pepper, clove, and ginger was well-balanced with the sweetness. Its appearance was also attractive. A rather fine drink. Rated 85/100.

A remarkably smooth initial taste when served neat. It has a light caramel hue with just a touch of red. The aroma certainly offered sweet caramel, perhaps a whisper of banana alongside a woody scent. The initial taste featured caramel and toffee, very smooth with minimal burn. A finish with some dark fruit notes (plum? Currant, blackberry?).