Bourbon Reviews, Distillery News and Information
Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review
I know what you are thinking: "A "value" bourbon from Willett? How can that be? Aren't they the ones whose bourbons go for hundred or even thousands of dollars! Well, yes and no. You see, Willett is also known as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd, and they produce many brands other than those bottled under the Willett label. Those brands include: Rowan's Creek, Pure Kentucky, Noah's Mill, Johnny Drum, Kentucky Village and the Old Bardstown line, which includes, the Bottled In Bond, the Estate Bottled and the 90 proof version.
Old Bardstown
Bottled In Bond
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distilled and Bottled by
The Willett Distillery
DSP-KY-78
“Willett’s Finest Quality”
$19.99
Review
Please enjoy my Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review!
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A Value Bottled in Bond Bourbon from Willett Distillery!
I know what you are thinking: “A “value” bourbon from Willett? How can that be? Aren’t they the ones whose bourbons go for hundred or even thousands of dollars! Well, yes and no.
Willett = Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd
You see, Willett is also known as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd, and they produce many bourbon brands other than those bottled under the Willett label. Those brands include: Rowan’s Creek, Pure Kentucky, Noah’s Mill, Johnny Drum, Kentucky Vintage and the Old Bardstown line, which includes, the Bottled In Bond, the Estate Bottled and the 90 proof version.
One of my favorite Value Bottled in Bond Bourbons
Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon is actually one of my favorite “value” bottled in bond bourbons. Willett is generally not very forthcoming with the specifics of most of their whiskeys. However, since this one is a Bottled In Bond, they have to share some of the information about it. For example, to meet the requirements for bottled in bond, the distillery where the bourbon is distilled must be listed on the label. If the bourbon is bottled elsewhere, that needs to be stated as well. In this case, it says on the label “Distilled and Bottled by Willett Distillery”. So, there is no question about this bourbon’s origin.
Age and Mash Bill
No age statement is given. However, this bourbon must be at least 4 years old, since that is the youngest a bourbon can be and still be called bottled in bond. It’s also 100 proof, because it has to be to satisfy the regulations, but they would have shared that information with us anyway. Rumor has it that the mash bill is: 72% corn, 13% rye and 15% malted barley.
Tasting Notes
Let’s taste it:
🛌 Rested for 20 minutes in a Glencairn
👉Nose: Cedar, maple, pear, cherry, caramel, rye spices; light to medium alcohol
👉Taste: Honey, vanilla, caramel, pear & cedar, rapidly give way to more cedar, tobacco and char, although the sweetness continues on
👉Finish: The flavors continue into the finish where it develops quite a bit of dryness and char with a moderate alcohol burn. Tobacco and char linger for a long time.
Summary
This bourbon is quite complex and sells for around 20 bucks in Kentucky. So, it is definitely a great “value” Bottled in Bond bourbon in my book! Cheers!🥃
I hope you enjoyed my Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review! Would you like to read about a couple of other bourbons from Willett Distillery? Check out my Rowan’s Creek Bourbon Review and my Noah’s Mill Bourbon Review!
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
About the author: Ed Escott is truly "Bourbon Obsessed". He is the founder of Bourbon Obsessed, LLC, and an Executive Bourbon Steward of the Stave and Thief Society. In addition, he has authored and edited over 600 bourbon and other whiskey reviews, over 50 in-depth distillery write-ups, and many other related articles. He is on the board of the Kentucky Bourbon Influencers and a member of the Lexington Bourbon Society and the Bourbon Capital Guild. Last, but not least, Ed has attended many bourbon-related educational sessions, visited countless distilleries, and is on a never-ending quest to try every bourbon.
Prior to focusing solely on Bourbon Obsessed, Ed practiced in academic medicine for three decades. He most recently was a Professor at the University of Kentucky and served as Chief of the Division of Neuroradiology and Vice Chair For Faculty Mentoring, Development & Wellness of the Department of Radiology. He has extensive editorial experience in academic medical publication, and brings that same academic mindset to Bourbon Obsessed, which is a unique approach for a spirit-focused media company.
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