Willett

Willett

Est. 1936KentuckyUnited States

Willett Distillery, located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, is a family-owned producer of premium Bourbon and Rye whiskey with roots tracing back...

Willett

Willett

Est. 1936KentuckyUnited States
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Willett Distillery, located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, is a family-owned producer of premium Bourbon and Rye whiskey with roots tracing back to the post-Civil War era. While the Willett family began distilling operations shortly after the Civil War, the distillery was formally established in its modern form in 1936 by Thompson Willett and his brother Johnnie. After ceasing distilling in the 1980s, the company focused on sourcing and aging exceptional barrels, becoming renowned for their meticulous selection process under the Willett Family Estate and Kentucky Vintage labels. In 2012, under the leadership of Drew Kulsveen (Thompson's grandson) and his family, Willett resumed distilling on-site, marking a new chapter in their storied history. Today, Willett is celebrated for its small-batch and single-barrel expressions, combining traditional methods with modern craftsmanship, and remains one of Kentucky's most respected independent distilleries.

Founder:
汤普森·威利特

Timeline

1883

One of the founders, Lambert, was born. He began working in whiskey at age 15, serving various distilleries across the Commonwealth in different capacities.

1936

The Willett family jointly established the Willett Distillery

1960

The distillery launched Johnny Drum Bourbon, targeting the California market

1964

Congress designated the bourbon distillery as Thompson Willett and Willett Distillery, a valuable certification

1984

Distillery leadership changed, with Even and Martha Kulsveen taking over as the decision-making management.

1990

Launched a small-batch premium bourbon whiskey series, with specific brands including Rowan's Creek, Noah's Mill, Vintage Kentucky, and Pure Kentucky.