Day 3 of DB's Bourbon Trail 2023 Advent Calendar - Willett Pot Still Reserve

Cheers and welcome to our 4th Annual Advent Calendar! Throughout the next month, we will be going on a high-end bourbon journey together and reviewing 25 bourbons from award winning distilleries across America. Starting on December 1st and ending on December 25th - we will get to experience everything from small batches to single barrels that are jam packed with flavor. Please join us in toasting to another incredible year and getting to virtually share some of our favorite bottles from this past year with you!

**This review has been completed by using a Glencairn glass and neat if you want to compare the same tasting notes as DB’s Bourbon Trail. BUT - the best thing about it being YOUR bourbon is that you get to enjoy it that way YOU want to and prefer! As long as it brings us together and you are enjoying it - pour it over ice, add water, or add it to a cocktail! It’s all about what makes you happy and what you enjoy - don’t let others influence you differently!**

Enough of me rambling, let’s dive into what brought us here!

Day 3 of DB’s Bourbon Trail 2023 Advent Calendar

Willett Pot Still Reserve

Small Batch - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Proof:

• 94 Proof (47%)

Distillery:

• Willett Distillery (Bardstown, KY)

Message on the bottle:

"Handmade by master craftsmen using time-honored methods in the art of distilling, handed down from one generation to the next. Made from pure limestone spring water, carefully selected grains and proprietary strains of yeast. 

• Aged in new white oak casks until fully mature.

• Bottled by hand at the peak of perfection in taste, quality and aroma. 

• Please enjoy in moderation, in the same way it was made, slow and unhurried."

Price Point:

**At DB’s Bourbon Trail we utilize an app called BoozApp (not sponsored - we wish!) to ensure we are getting at least a fair price on our bourbon before purchasing. Nothing is worse than getting taken advantage of by a flipper playing the supply/demand game**

• Average MSRP:

  • $52.21

• Fair Price:

  • $67.87

• Shelf Price:

  • $64.99

• DB’s Bourbon Trail Instant Buy Price:

  • <$51.99

Review:

In 2008, "Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon debuts in the signature pot still shaped bottle fashioned using the original still blueprints." 15 years later it is still one of the most iconic bottles that you're able to find on the market. I think Bill Thomas (from Willett's website) says it best - "I'm not sure if they made the opulent bottle to match the Whiskey or vice versa."

Nose:

• The nose of this pour reminds me of fruit covered in whipped cream. Strong notes of vanilla and cherry are right away. After swirling in the glass multiple times, I do begin to pick up on citrus notes as well!

Palate:

• The palate really picks up where the nose leaves off. The citrus note turns into an orange peel that is paired with sweet caramel that battles with cinnamon spice into the finish.

Finish:

• I think the finish really brings this whole pour together. The vanilla and caramel notes from the nose and palate are favorably paired with an incredible burst of cinnamon spice that lingers for a mild finish.

Final Thoughts:

I always like to keep it as real as possible and want to address the elephant in the room. If you have read comments in different bourbon groups - you may have seen people not favoring this bottle. With that being said, I started to listen to the internet vs my taste buds.

This year, I decided to give this bottle another chance and boy am I glad I did! Outside of the bottle always catching my eye, I feel confident in backing the magic inside of it. I think the uniqueness of the pour is what makes it special but with that brings the criticism (kind of like anything unique in life).

Be unique, follow your taste buds, and if you're still skeptical after reading reviews - try it before you buy it. The bottle itself will always be a conversation starter and thankfully what's inside is what brings us all together!

Cheers to being unique y’all!

Interesting in what else we might have cooking? Learn more here!

Let's Connect!

• Have you ever had this pour?

• Thoughts on the review?

• Leave a comment below and share your experience - we would love to hear from you!