Heritage
Willett Family Estate 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750 ml, Barrel Proof) is one of the most coveted releases from the Willett Distillery, bottled from carefully selected single barrels and offered at natural strength. Each barrel yields only a limited number of bottles, making every release unique and highly collectible. Aged for a full decade in new charred American oak, this bourbon captures the intensity of Kentucky’s climate while showcasing the depth and craftsmanship that define the Willett Family Estate line.
Barrel #2068
Tasting Profile & Food Pairings
Tasting Notes
The nose opens with concentrated aromas of dark caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak, lifted by notes of tobacco, leather, and baking spice. On the palate, bold flavors of toffee, molasses, and dark chocolate mingle with dried cherry, clove, and roasted nuts. The barrel proof strength amplifies the richness, delivering warmth and structure while still maintaining balance. The finish is exceptionally long, marked by lingering notes of oak, spice, and sweet dried fruit.
Food Pairings
Starter Smoked brisket sliders with caramelized onions, complementing the whiskey’s oak and spice.
Main Course Dry-aged ribeye with a peppercorn crust, balanced by the bourbon’s toffee and dark fruit depth.
Cheese Aged stilton or sharp cheddar, cutting through the whiskey’s richness while highlighting its nutty tones.
Dessert Dark chocolate torte or pecan pie, echoing the bourbon’s cocoa, caramel, and roasted nut layers.
Craftsmanship
Willett Distillery is a celebrated, family-owned bourbon producer based in Bardstown, Kentucky—the heartland of American whiskey. Founded in 1936 by the Willett family, with roots in distillation stretching back to the 1800s, the distillery was established on the family farm shortly after Prohibition. Over decades, it became known not only for its own brands but also for its role as a respected independent bottler, operating under the name Kentucky Bourbon Distillers.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Willett temporarily shifted away from bourbon production—partly due to the energy crisis—and focused on bottling whiskey sourced from elsewhere. In 1984, Even Kulsveen, who married into the Willett family, acquired the company and later restored distillation on-site. By 2012, the distillery resumed making its own spirits again, blending modern distilling with its storied heritage.
Today, the distillery is run by the Kulsveen family—descendants of the original founders—preserving the legacy with expressions ranging from beloved series like Pot Still Reserve and Willett Family Estate to accessible lines such as Rowan’s Creek, Noah’s Mill, and Kentucky Vintage. With unwavering craftsmanship, artistic design, and a deeply rooted sense of history, Willett continues to define the essence of small-batch Kentucky bourbon.
