Introduction:
It’s fascinating to see how the Willett Distilling Company has navigated its journey through the whiskey industry, from producing at another distillery to establishing its own production and expanding its product range. The Willett Pot Still Reserve and the Willett Family Estate Rye sound like distinct and flavorful offerings that showcase the diversity of their whiskey portfolio.
The fact that they have both pot still and continuous still operations provides them with the versatility to create a wide range of spirits, each with its own unique character. The use of a pot still for producing their Bourbon highlights their commitment to traditional methods and craftsmanship, while the continuous still allows for experimentation and exploration of different styles.
The anticipation around their first new Willett Kentucky Straight Bourbon produced at their own distillery is certainly exciting. Waiting for the first release from their own distillation efforts in 2016 adds an element of anticipation and curiosity for whiskey enthusiasts. It will be interesting to see how their unique approach and combination of traditional and modern techniques will influence the flavor profile of their future releases.
Overall, the Willett Distilling Company’s journey showcases the evolution of a distillery, its dedication to quality, and its ability to adapt and grow while maintaining a strong connection to its heritage.
The Production:
The juxtaposition of old traditions and modern technologies at Willett Distillery is truly intriguing. While the distillery’s appearance may harken back to a bygone era, the integration of new infrastructure and technologies showcases a commitment to maintaining quality while embracing advancements in the industry.
Preserving the picturesque and nostalgic aspects of the distillery’s setting provides visitors with a sense of history and heritage, allowing them to step into the past and experience the ambiance of traditional whiskey production. At the same time, the incorporation of modern equipment and facilities speaks to the distillery’s dedication to producing whiskey at a high standard.
This balance between tradition and innovation is crucial in the modern whiskey industry, where maintaining the authenticity and craftsmanship of the past while leveraging technology for efficiency and consistency is key. Willett Distillery’s approach exemplifies how distilleries can honor their roots while adapting to contemporary demands and ensuring the future success of their products.
Overall, the marriage of old-world charm with contemporary production practices at Willett Distillery creates a unique and compelling experience for both visitors and whiskey enthusiasts.
The Mashing:
The meticulous process of preparing the mash for Willett Whiskey is a blend of precision, careful measurement, and the integration of advanced grain – handling technology. The distillery’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of their various mash bills, whether from historical recipes or newer creations, is evident in their attention to detail.
The grain hopper, prominently displayed upon entering the distillery estate, serves as a visual representation of the essential role that corn plays in the whiskey – making process. The pneumatic grain – handling system and hammer mill work together to handle and process the grains efficiently, ensuring that they are ready for mashing.
The flexibility in grain composition highlights the versatility of Willett Distillery, as they can tailor their mash bills to create a diverse range of whiskey flavors. Whether drawing inspiration from their historic recipes or innovating with newer combinations, the careful selection of grains contributes significantly to the character and profile of their products.
As seen from the example of the mashbill used for their first mashing in the new distillery, the thoughtful balance of corn, rye, and barley results in a smooth and sweet Kentucky Bourbon. This attention to the proportions of each grain type demonstrates the distillery’s commitment to crafting distinctive and high-quality whiskeys.
Overall, the process of preparing the mash at Willett Distillery showcases the harmonious interplay of tradition and technology, where time – honored ingredients meet modern efficiency to create exceptional spirits.
The Fermentation:
The presence of seven fermenters, each with a capacity of 10,000 gallons, highlights the substantial production capacity and commitment to quality at the Willett Distillery in Bardstown. These sizable fermenters serve as vessels where the fermentation process takes place, converting the prepared mash into alcohol – rich liquid known as “wash”.
The use of multiple fermenters allows for a continuous and efficient production process, ensuring a consistent supply of wash for distillation. This capacity is essential for meeting the demand for Willett’s various whiskey expressions and accommodating potential future growth.
By utilizing these large fermenters, the Willett Distillery can maintain the quality and character of their whiskeys, as well as experiment with different yeast strains and fermentation conditions to create unique flavors and aromas. The combination of modern equipment and traditional techniques contributes to the overall excellence of the distillery’s products.
The Distillation:
Willis Distillery has both a pot still (1,200 gallons) and a stainless steel column still. This combination allows them to make a variety of Whiskeys. The pot still has a unique shape with a short base and tall, thin neck. Some Willis Whiskey releases even have bottles shaped like this pot still. The column still has sixteen distilling trays and six rectifying trays, with one of them using copper pipes for contact with the spirit. There are also two spirit safes in their distillation setup.
Filling Building and Warehouses:
Adjacent to the distillation buildings, cask filling at Willis Distillery is carried out in a simple and traditional manner, reminiscent of the old days of the distillery. Once the new white oak barrels are filled, they are rolled to the warehouses for maturation.
The History:
In 1936, the first Willett Distillery was established in Bardstown, where the Willett family had lived for generations. John David Willett, born in 1841, was the first family member involved in the whiskey business. He worked as a master distiller at various distilleries in and around Bardstown, developing many of the mashbills still used by the family today. In 1936, brothers Thompson and Johnny Willett founded the Willett Distilling Company on the family farm and produced their inaugural batch of whiskey on March 17, 1937.
The distillery operated until the early 1980s, with many family members actively participating. However, challenging times for whiskey producers led to the closure of the Willett distillery. In 1984, Evan Kulsveen, the Norwegian husband of Martha Harriet Willett, purchased the property and embarked on significant efforts to restore the distillery and its warehouses. With the involvement of his wife, son, daughter, and son-in-law, the company was revitalized, and on January 21, 2012, the new Willett Distillery filled its first barrel.
Visitor Center:
The visitor center with gift shop and tasting room is a small two story house.
Opening hours
Monday – Saturday : 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday: 12:00 am – 4:30 pm (March – December)
Tour Times
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on the hour
Sunday: 12:30; 1:30; 2:30; 3:30 (March – December)
Tours (including tasting) $7
Willis Distillery
1869 Loretto Road, Bardstown, KY 40004
Information about the Distillery: |
|
| Number of bottles: | 0 Bottles |
| Country, Region: | USA, Kentucky |
| Coordinates: | -85.465508 37.783284 |
| Status: | Active |
| Official Website: | http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/ |
Introduction:
It’s fascinating to see how the Willett Distilling Company has navigated its journey through the whiskey industry, from producing at another distillery to establishing its own production and expanding its product range. The Willett Pot Still Reserve and the Willett Family Estate Rye sound like distinct and flavorful offerings that showcase the diversity of their whiskey portfolio.
The fact that they have both pot still and continuous still operations provides them with the versatility to create a wide range of spirits, each with its own unique character. The use of a pot still for producing their Bourbon highlights their commitment to traditional methods and craftsmanship, while the continuous still allows for experimentation and exploration of different styles.
The anticipation around their first new Willett Kentucky Straight Bourbon produced at their own distillery is certainly exciting. Waiting for the first release from their own distillation efforts in 2016 adds an element of anticipation and curiosity for whiskey enthusiasts. It will be interesting to see how their unique approach and combination of traditional and modern techniques will influence the flavor profile of their future releases.
Overall, the Willett Distilling Company’s journey showcases the evolution of a distillery, its dedication to quality, and its ability to adapt and grow while maintaining a strong connection to its heritage.
The Production:
The juxtaposition of old traditions and modern technologies at Willett Distillery is truly intriguing. While the distillery’s appearance may harken back to a bygone era, the integration of new infrastructure and technologies showcases a commitment to maintaining quality while embracing advancements in the industry.
Preserving the picturesque and nostalgic aspects of the distillery’s setting provides visitors with a sense of history and heritage, allowing them to step into the past and experience the ambiance of traditional whiskey production. At the same time, the incorporation of modern equipment and facilities speaks to the distillery’s dedication to producing whiskey at a high standard.
This balance between tradition and innovation is crucial in the modern whiskey industry, where maintaining the authenticity and craftsmanship of the past while leveraging technology for efficiency and consistency is key. Willett Distillery’s approach exemplifies how distilleries can honor their roots while adapting to contemporary demands and ensuring the future success of their products.
Overall, the marriage of old-world charm with contemporary production practices at Willett Distillery creates a unique and compelling experience for both visitors and whiskey enthusiasts.
The Mashing:
The meticulous process of preparing the mash for Willett Whiskey is a blend of precision, careful measurement, and the integration of advanced grain – handling technology. The distillery’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of their various mash bills, whether from historical recipes or newer creations, is evident in their attention to detail.
The grain hopper, prominently displayed upon entering the distillery estate, serves as a visual representation of the essential role that corn plays in the whiskey – making process. The pneumatic grain – handling system and hammer mill work together to handle and process the grains efficiently, ensuring that they are ready for mashing.
The flexibility in grain composition highlights the versatility of Willett Distillery, as they can tailor their mash bills to create a diverse range of whiskey flavors. Whether drawing inspiration from their historic recipes or innovating with newer combinations, the careful selection of grains contributes significantly to the character and profile of their products.
As seen from the example of the mashbill used for their first mashing in the new distillery, the thoughtful balance of corn, rye, and barley results in a smooth and sweet Kentucky Bourbon. This attention to the proportions of each grain type demonstrates the distillery’s commitment to crafting distinctive and high-quality whiskeys.
Overall, the process of preparing the mash at Willett Distillery showcases the harmonious interplay of tradition and technology, where time – honored ingredients meet modern efficiency to create exceptional spirits.
The Fermentation:
The presence of seven fermenters, each with a capacity of 10,000 gallons, highlights the substantial production capacity and commitment to quality at the Willett Distillery in Bardstown. These sizable fermenters serve as vessels where the fermentation process takes place, converting the prepared mash into alcohol – rich liquid known as “wash”.
The use of multiple fermenters allows for a continuous and efficient production process, ensuring a consistent supply of wash for distillation. This capacity is essential for meeting the demand for Willett’s various whiskey expressions and accommodating potential future growth.
By utilizing these large fermenters, the Willett Distillery can maintain the quality and character of their whiskeys, as well as experiment with different yeast strains and fermentation conditions to create unique flavors and aromas. The combination of modern equipment and traditional techniques contributes to the overall excellence of the distillery’s products.
The Distillation:
Willis Distillery has both a pot still (1,200 gallons) and a stainless steel column still. This combination allows them to make a variety of Whiskeys. The pot still has a unique shape with a short base and tall, thin neck. Some Willis Whiskey releases even have bottles shaped like this pot still. The column still has sixteen distilling trays and six rectifying trays, with one of them using copper pipes for contact with the spirit. There are also two spirit safes in their distillation setup.
Filling Building and Warehouses:
Adjacent to the distillation buildings, cask filling at Willis Distillery is carried out in a simple and traditional manner, reminiscent of the old days of the distillery. Once the new white oak barrels are filled, they are rolled to the warehouses for maturation.
The History:
In 1936, the first Willett Distillery was established in Bardstown, where the Willett family had lived for generations. John David Willett, born in 1841, was the first family member involved in the whiskey business. He worked as a master distiller at various distilleries in and around Bardstown, developing many of the mashbills still used by the family today. In 1936, brothers Thompson and Johnny Willett founded the Willett Distilling Company on the family farm and produced their inaugural batch of whiskey on March 17, 1937.
The distillery operated until the early 1980s, with many family members actively participating. However, challenging times for whiskey producers led to the closure of the Willett distillery. In 1984, Evan Kulsveen, the Norwegian husband of Martha Harriet Willett, purchased the property and embarked on significant efforts to restore the distillery and its warehouses. With the involvement of his wife, son, daughter, and son-in-law, the company was revitalized, and on January 21, 2012, the new Willett Distillery filled its first barrel.
Visitor Center:
The visitor center with gift shop and tasting room is a small two story house.
Opening hours
Monday – Saturday : 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday: 12:00 am – 4:30 pm (March – December)
Tour Times
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on the hour
Sunday: 12:30; 1:30; 2:30; 3:30 (March – December)
Tours (including tasting) $7
Willis Distillery
1869 Loretto Road, Bardstown, KY 40004
Information about the Distillery: |
|
| Number of bottles: | 0 Bottles |
| Country, Region: | USA, Kentucky |
| Coordinates: | -85.465508 37.783284 |
| Status: | Active |
| Official Website: | http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/ |