Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon

I really should have tried this a long time ago. I'm a big admirer of Rowan's Creek and Noah Mills, but this is the bottle that introduced me to this distillery years back. I'm pleased to finally take my time and thoroughly assess this one. Nose: Dusty corn and old paper. Cocoa and black tea. Vanilla and caramel. A hint of pipe smoke. Hay. Orange peel. Sugar cookie. This definitely has a spicier bourbon nose profile. Allspice, clove, and nutmeg. Cinnamon and oak. Palate: Brown sugar, almond, caramel, and fudge. Vanilla. Sawdust and old paper. Dried apricot. Orange peel, black pepper, pipe smoke. Vanilla and toffee. Almond and walnut. Oak. Finish: Cherry and dried apricot. Brown sugar and caramel. Almond and walnut. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice, black and white pepper, and oak. A moderately long finish. It's a very nice whiskey. The distillery clearly invests significant effort into all its products. I'm aware that some age statements used to be considerably higher in the past, but frankly, that was a great deal for the money. It seems a bit young in profile. I can't say I always recall it having this quality, which is unfortunate given the direction the distillery chose for Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. However, this is a minor drawback in the broader picture. It's mainly noticeable on the nose, not really on the palate. This whiskey gets better the longer it sits in the glass, and it's accessible for beginners while still offering enough complexity to engage experienced drinkers. It's worth keeping on hand, especially considering the $45 price point. I rate it 4/5.

I was given this as a present. I've seen it available but it was never a priority purchase for me. It's one of the more elegant bottles I've encountered. This one presents a puzzle to me. I haven't encountered much information or reviews about this particular brand, and I hadn't tasted it before tonight. A quiet moment presents itself, and I have a pour (or two) to contemplate. Nose: A gentle introduction with light sweetness, floral notes, and earthiness. Candy corn, honeysuckle, and vanilla, all wrapped in oak. Palate: The body is light. It's a mouthful of honey and caramel sweetness balanced by mild peppery spice. Subtle hints of lemon and strawberries add to the sweetness. Finish: In contrast to the initial and mid-palate flavors, the finish is delicately spicy. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and pumpernickel. The lingering vanilla and honey keep the spice in check. Overall: Housed in a unique bottle, the liquid inside continues to evolve. The aromas on the nose are few but bright. The palate shifts from sweetness to spiciness. More tangible qualities are discovered. Finally, a full, spicy, and long-lasting finish emerges. This is where the bourbon truly shines. It's an easy and approachable whiskey. Simple. The lack of overall complexity prevents it from being a go-to choice. However, the finish makes it a strong contender and, in my opinion, what defines a good whiskey and a great whiskey: the finish. Enjoyable. [87/100][Tasted: 1/24/25]

A well-rounded, specially chosen, limited, Kentucky straight Bourbon, aged 8-10 years, first released in 2008. It presents a delicate beginning (somewhat cognac-like) with hints of jasmine, vanilla, sweet corn, cinnamon & ginger; while maturation adds touches of nut, oak, black tea, butterscotch, lemon, dried corn, rye & banana; concluding with a moderately long, spicy finish with notes of herbs & rye. December 2017 / May 2018 / August 2022

This bourbon didn't quite resonate with me. It smells and tastes youthful, but not in an appealing way. The graininess imparts an unpleasant overall character. I also detect pleasant sweetness and some spice on the palate. The finish is brief and wheaty. Ultimately, I expected more from this bourbon, and it's too costly to consider buying again.

ON THE NOSE: Fruit forward with touches of baking spices and honey. It has an almost buttery aroma, but in a pleasant way. Some vanilla and apple notes are present. ON THE PALATE: Very rich and creamy on the mouthfeel. Sweet. I'm detecting apples, cherries, and dates. The taste persists for a good while and is quite enjoyable. It's also very warming. A satisfying pour. I'm pleased I bought the larger bottle.

This was a gift! The container is stunning but difficult to showcase. It has a spicy character with cinnamon, red hots, and black pepper, complemented by traditional notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak! All in all, it's an acceptable drink! I don't get the intense dislike this gets. It's not exceptional but certainly not terrible! I would get it again!