Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

Willett Pot Still Reserve is a striking Kentucky Straight Bourbon, crafted in Bardstown and presented in its iconic pot-still decanter. A wheated mash bill and small-batch marriage deliver a supple, dessert-like profile at 47% ABV. Silky, polished and beautifully balanced, it’s a conversation-starting bourbon made for luxurious sipping and memorable gifting.

Tasting Notes & Experience

Warm aromas evoke vanilla-lemon cake, caramel and toasted oak, threaded with citrus oils. The palate is full yet graceful: layers of crème caramel, vanilla bean and candied orange peel glide over baking spice and a hint of cocoa. A lingering finish reveals honeyed grain and soft oak sweetness, tapering with a gentle citrus snap.

Key Details

• Producer: Willett Distillery
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Small Batch)
• Region: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA
• ABV: 47%
• Volume: 700ml
• Maturation: New charred American oak; bottled at natural colour
• Serve: Neat or with a splash of water; superb over one large ice cube

Cocktail Pairings

Its velvet sweetness and bright citrus make a luxurious Old Fashioned, while a Gold Rush (bourbon, honey, lemon) highlights the honeyed core. Try a Manhattan with a lighter vermouth for poise, a Boulevardier for bittersweet depth, a Paper Plane for modern zip, or a Kentucky Mule where ginger and lime lift the caramel-vanilla glow.

Craftsmanship & Story

Family-run since 1936, Willett distils and matures in Bardstown—the heart of bourbon country. Pot Still Reserve is blended in small batches and presented in a decanter modeled on Willett’s original copper pot still, a nod to the distillery’s heritage of hands-on whiskey-making and meticulous cask selection.

Special Features

A distinctive wheated mash bill (corn, wheat, malted barley) softens the spice and amplifies pastry-shop richness. The secondary hallmark is presentation: the sculptural pot-still bottle turns any bar into a showpiece. At 47% ABV, flavour intensity is elevated yet silky, equally rewarding sipped neat or showcased in refined classics.

Recognition & Accolades

Select highlights that reflect enduring quality and appeal:

• Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2009
• Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2008
• “Liquid Gold” (95.5 pts) – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, 2012
• Outstanding (90 pts) – Malt Advocate Magazine, 2008
• Double Gold – SFWSC, Unique Bottle Design, 2008

Acclaim spans both the whiskey in the glass and its iconic design—an elegant standard-bearer for modern Kentucky bourbon.

Food Pairing

Glazed pork belly, smoked brisket or char-grilled ribeye echo the bourbon’s caramelised oak. Aged cheddar or smoked Gouda accent vanilla and spice. For desserts, pecan pie, crème brûlée or dark-chocolate tart mirror toffee, honey and cocoa, while candied pecans make an effortless, luxurious match.

Perfect for Gifting or Sipping

A show-stopping decanter and indulgent, patisserie-rich profile make Pot Still Reserve a standout gift for collectors, clients and milestone moments—equally perfect as your go-to pour for elevated evenings in.

Fast, Secure NZ-Wide Delivery

Order online for fast NZ delivery. Lovingly packed with a selection of stylish packaging and a personal message option to complete the perfect gift.