Old Bardstown Bourbon (Willett)

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 45% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Old Bardstown 90 Proof is made to the Willett family's original bourbon recipe. The grain mixture consists of 72% corn, 13% rye and 15% malted barley. The spirit enters a new cask at 125 Proof, equivalent to 62.5% alcohol. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon is bottled in small batches at 45%, or 90 Proof.

Its smooth, classic bourbon style combines sweet notes with oak and a delicate floral accent. Honey-roasted nuts shape the nose, while buttery notes and dried citrus fruit complement the palate. Old Bardstown also forms the base of numerous cocktails at The Bar at Willett.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, caramel, oak and vanilla combine with a hint of floral notes. Honey-roasted nuts add another dimension.
• Palate: Caramel, oak, vanilla and floral notes return on the palate in a smooth bourbon style. Buttery impressions and dried citrus fruit complement the flavour.
• Finish: The medium-length finish is clean, dry and spicy. Caramel, vanilla and toasted oak linger.

Distillery/Bottler:

Willett distils Old Bardstown in Bardstown, Kentucky, where the whiskey is also matured and bottled. Old Bardstown was the Willett family's first bourbon. Its name recalls a racehorse from Calumet Farm; the 90 Proof version continues the original family recipe.

Thompson Willett founded the distillery in 1936. Following a lengthy production hiatus, the family resumed distillation in 2012. In the intervening years, Willett had continued to mature purchased whiskey stocks and blend them in small batches. Once production resumed, its own distillates also found their way into the Old Bardstown range. Selecting and combining different cask profiles is part of Drew Kulsveen's work.

Facts: