{"product_id":"willett-pot-still-reserve","title":"Willett Pot Still Reserve","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWillett Pot Still Reserve. Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Bardstown, Kentucky — the most recognizable bottle in American bourbon, shaped like the copper pot still that distilled it, a single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon aged 8 to 10 years from a family that has been making whiskey in Bardstown since the 1930s — Gold Medal for taste and Double Gold Medal for design at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bottle is no accident. When Kentucky Bourbon Distillers designed the Pot Still Reserve, the bottle's shape was a deliberate reference to the copper pot still used at the Willett Distilling Company — the vessel where the family's whiskey tradition was built. Every bottle is sealed with a label identifying the individual aging barrel, the bottle number within that barrel's series, and the total bottles produced from the barrel. No two bottles are identical, because no two barrels are.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Willett family's connection to bourbon runs from John David Willett, who began distilling in Louisville during Reconstruction, through his son A. Lambert Willett, through Lambert and his son Thompson's founding of the Willett Distilling Company on the outskirts of Bardstown. The company's name later changed to Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, but the family tradition continued: Even Kulsveen, who built the modern KBD operation, is Thompson Willett's son-in-law; Drew Kulsveen, the current Master Distiller, is Even's son. Five generations of the same family's bourbon knowledge in a single bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brown sugar, molasses, caramel, and delicate floral notes — the single barrel's individual character asserting itself. Refined and inviting.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Creamy and graceful — balanced vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, butterscotch, and a hint of mild coffee alongside light spice. Accessible and complex simultaneously.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mint, spice, and earthy wood character in a clean, satisfying close. The Gold Medal finish that won at San Francisco in 2008.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Bardstown, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–10 years\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMash Bill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wheated bourbon (corn, wheat, malted barley)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAwards:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold Medal for taste, Double Gold Medal for design — San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/willett\"\u003eWillett collection at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the Willett family's history?\u003c\/strong\u003e John David Willett began distilling in Louisville during Reconstruction. His son Lambert and Lambert's son Thompson founded the Willett Distilling Company in Bardstown in the 1930s. The company became Kentucky Bourbon Distillers; Even Kulsveen (Thompson's son-in-law) rebuilt the operation in 1984; his son Drew Kulsveen is the current Master Distiller. Five generations of the same Bardstown family.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat does each bottle label document?\u003c\/strong\u003e Every Pot Still Reserve bottle is labeled with the specific aging barrel number, the bottle's number within that barrel's series, and the total bottles produced from that barrel. Since each barrel is bottled individually, every label documents a unique, unrepeatable barrel selection.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs the bottle really shaped like a pot still?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — the distinctive Pot Still Reserve bottle was specifically designed to resemble the copper pot still used at the Willett Distilling Company. The Double Gold Medal for design at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition recognized it as among the most distinctive bottle designs in American spirits.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes Willett Pot Still Reserve a wheated bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e Pot Still Reserve uses wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye — producing a softer, rounder, creamier character than high-rye bourbons. The wheat contributes the creaminess and floral character that defines the Pot Still Reserve profile and distinguishes it from Willett's own-distilled higher-rye Family Estate expressions.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the Willett family's history?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"John David Willett began distilling in Louisville during Reconstruction. Lambert and Thompson Willett founded the Willett Distilling Company in Bardstown in the 1930s. Even Kulsveen rebuilt it as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984; his son Drew Kulsveen is the current Master Distiller. Five generations of the same Bardstown family.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What does each bottle label document?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Every bottle is labeled with the specific aging barrel number, the bottle's number within that barrel's series, and the total bottles produced from that barrel. Each barrel is bottled individually, making every label document a unique, unrepeatable selection.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is the bottle really shaped like a pot still?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes — specifically designed to resemble the copper pot still used at the Willett Distilling Company. The Double Gold Medal for design at the 2008 SFWSC recognized it as among the most distinctive bottle designs in American spirits.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What makes Willett Pot Still Reserve a wheated bourbon?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Pot Still Reserve uses wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye, producing a softer, rounder, creamier character. The wheat contributes the creaminess and floral character that defines the profile and distinguishes it from Willett's higher-rye Family Estate expressions.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Willett","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49127997800700,"sku":"680203019353","price":56.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/WillettPotStillReserve.png?v=1779539870","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/willett-pot-still-reserve","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}