Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength Bourbon Review (Fall 2026)

 

We all have a whiskey that sent us down the rabbit hole. For me, it was Scotch. But the one that introduced me to Bourbon was Willett Pot Still Reserve.

 

Keep in mind that Willett used to source everything. Back then, the Pot Still bottle was a single-barrel expression filled with Heaven Hill juice. It was stupendous. It was awesome. I may have even cried when I polished off my final bottle.

 

It wasn’t until 2012 that the Kulsveen family, the owners of Willett Distillery, resurrected their still and once again began distilling their own Bourbon and Rye whiskeys.

 

One common problem brands face is that when they stop sourcing and start producing and aging their own distillate, they get backlash. Simply put, every still is different, every barrel is different, and as it matures, no two whiskeys are alike. Fans expect the same (or better) from the new distillate, and you can’t duplicate the old.

 

Let’s be honest; when you go from a single barrel to a small batch, that’s like comparing a Ferrari to a Fiat. A lot of folks were disappointed and used unkind, “colorful” wordplay to describe Willett Pot Still Reserve.

 

I recall trying the Pot Still Reserve shortly before COVID hit. Like most whiskeys that get a bad rap, it was bland yet drinkable. It certainly wasn’t the swill people made it out to be.

 

Willett Distillery releases Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength semi-annually. It hits shelves on the Spring and Fall Equinoxes. Since we’ve just had the latter, the 2016 Fall version is out, and I’ve never tried it, so I’m going into today’s tasting with a completely blank slate.

 

The Bourbon starts with a mashbill of 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% barley. Entry proof is 115°, and because it is a cask-strength whiskey, the bottling proof varies from batch to batch. The batch I’ll be reviewing is #24C21, bottled at 60% ABV (120°). It carries no age statement, but is estimated to hold distillate between 4 and 6 years. Willett suggests a retail price of $64.99.

 

Willett Distillery kindly provided me with a sample of the 2026 Fall release in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and discover if it is good, bad, or ugly.

 

• Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon
• Distiller: Willett Distillery
• Age: NAS
• Mashbill: 65% corn, 20% wheat, and 15% malted barley
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon #4 charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 60% ABV (120°) – varies by batch
• Price per 750mL: $64.99

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this Bourbon neat. Its brilliant orange-amber color seemed inviting. A medium rim shed thick, wavy tears that raced down to the pool.

 

Nose: I waited 15 minutes for the Bourbon to acclimate before exploring the nose. Once that time elapsed, I brought the glass beneath my nostrils and began sniffing. Corn was the first thing I smelled, followed by dense vanilla cream, mild charcoal, and toasted coconut. My mouth was filled with vanilla when I pulled the air in through my lips.   

 

Palate: The Bourbon had a soft, creamy texture and a palate-shock of corn. On the front, I found vanilla, sweet corn, and fresh leather, while my mid-palate caught custard and toasted coconut. The back palate brought charred oak and white pepper.   

 

Finish: The custard and coconut carried midway through the finish, with white pepper and oak spice making a late, ramped-up appearance. The duration ran 1:02, eeking into medium territory.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength drank nowhere near its 120°; it was an incredibly easy sipping whiskey. It was warm but not even remotely “hot.” There wasn’t much in terms of complexity until the finish. That puts it into that “dangerous” category of whiskeys; the ones where you take a few pours and don’t feel it in your head until you stand up.

 

If I were looking for a Bourbon that I could sit back and relax and worry about nothing, this would be it. I could picture myself enjoying it in front of a fire or on my back deck during a warm summer’s night.

 

From a value standpoint, the Bourbon is fairly priced. There’s nothing to dislike about Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength. It is solid and will certainly appeal to those fairly new to Bourbon who want something with a bit more oomph. In my book, it deserves my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.