The Whisky Thread

[TNT009]

Originally Posted by jsavoie88

Very nice. How is it?

I have Batch 47, but haven’t cracked it yet. I hate cracking a bottle without a backup. And I realize a backup bottle will be a different batch, but still.


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Didnt pop it yet.. Finishing off a #23, which has a lot of rum characteristics. That was my first Cigar Blend.... 2 #25's are up next! The #23 is easily top 5 of the year for me!

[jsavoie88]

Sounds fantastic! Now I need to hunt for a backup bottle. Cheers!


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[thedak]

58 is getting incredible reviews.

For example recent upload

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrUYdpmvEZ8

[TNT009]

Originally Posted by thedak

58 is getting incredible reviews.

For example recent upload

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrUYdpmvEZ8

Yes.. Saw that over weekend, his reviews are pretty solid! Need to do a battle between CB and Dalmore Cigar Malt

[jsavoie88]

Originally Posted by TNT009

Yes.. Saw that over weekend, his reviews are pretty solid! Need to do a battle between CB and Dalmore Cigar Malt

M&D definitely has the better palate. But I just can’t help watching Bourbon Junkies for the entertainment value.


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[thedak]

Originally Posted by jsavoie88

M&D definitely has the better palate. But I just can’t help watching Bourbon Junkies for the entertainment value.

Agreed

Likable dudes

[TNT009]

Stoked when the bottles have my bday on em. Fast shipping from
X the pond!
And the whiskey of the year. Per whiskey advocate!


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[airchitect]

Originally Posted by Bourbon

old Willett things...

So funny enough, I’m actually very new to Willett and I see you’re a connoisseur. What’s your preference? Besides the barrels you appear to have picked


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[Bourbon]

Originally Posted by airchitect

So funny enough, I’m actually very new to Willett and I see you’re a connoisseur. What’s your preference? Besides the barrels you appear to have picked


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I’m here as a resource.

Are you asking:
1. Hey, what are some good bottles to chase? (Super short response)
OR
2. Can you help me learn how/what to chase (novel-length reply)

Happy to provide either/both.

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by Bourbon

I’m here as a resource.

Are you asking:
1. Hey, what are some good bottles to chase? (Super short response)
OR
2. Can you help me learn how/what to chase (novel-length reply)

Happy to provide either/both.

BOTH!!!!!


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[Bourbon]

Here’s my 5 minute-stab at understanding Willett. Please note there are always going to be some “bottles” or “barrels” that fall outside these ranges and ideas. But generally… 90% of what I say is accurate.

There are 3 generations Willett. We will focus on the third generation, which is all about the purple tops that people go crazy over these days.

Generation 1 “old Willett from the 1930’s through the 1970’s” before they switched to producing ethanol gas. Which, shut down in the 1980’s and was dormant for about 25 years”.
Generation 2 “kinda-new Willett that was re-started by Even Kulsveen (married into the Willett family) in the mid 80’s and was named “Kentucky Bourbon Distillers” (KBD)” where they sourced a bunch of bourbon and released it as an independent bottler.
Generation 3 “New Willett is know as the 2012+ era where they began distilling again. Run by Even’s son Drew. To where, in early 2022 their own distillate will reach 10yrs in age. This is the era I am going to write about.

Generation 3 is also complex. Because, when they began distilling, they also began sourcing whiskey (new and aged) from other distilleries. People get confused when they see an 8yr Willett for sale today. Because they don’t know if it’s sourced OR their own distillate.

Let’s dig into Generation 3. First, the sourced stuff. Back in 2012 they began releasing sourced whiskey that was anywhere between 4-23 years old. Most of these had wax tops. And, in 2012/13 there were some released in cognac (shaped) bottles. It’s safe to say that Willett gained huge popularity early on in the resurgence of the bourbon craze (2013-14) due to having stellar (and aged) products. When I say this I am talking about the “B Barrels” and “C barrels”. Things like B58, C10, C67A, and so on. These (and others that aren’t B/C barrels) are noted as “epic Willetts”. Beyond that (call it 2013-2017 as concentration point) they released a bevy of 9-14 year old sourced barrels that were also known as “epic” because of their profile. And, it’s rumored that they are Brown Forman (and others) in 2 specific barrel-number-runs. It’s quite common for Willett nerds to talk about the 7xx-8xx and 13xx-14xx runs (that are over 122 proof) to be some of the best whiskey on earth. To boil that down further, a Willett nerd may say “808 (126.6 proof) is far superior to 702 (120.8 proof)” due to profile AND assuming the two are different distillates. That nerd may assume that 808 is BF, and that 702 is HH. No one knows for sure (Drew does). But, that’s the general gist of how people “value” these bottles. To boil it down further. 808 may sell for 3K on secondary whereas 702 may sell for 1.5K on secondary because the community deems it “that much better”. But, it’s all about perspective, because... 702 is probably better than 95% of whiskeys out there. In the past 4 years (call it 2017-present) Willett was releasing 2 primary ranges of sourced stuff. There were things that were 7 years old (that are now 11yrs). And, there were 14 year old things that are now 18/19 years old). Many newer folks who want to jump down the “sourced Willett rabbit hole” want to get into “THE BEST” and focus on B/C barrels AND the 7xx-8xx/13xx-14xx that are above the proof that the community deems “epic”. Additionally, there is a WHOLE OTHER story about “epic Willett ryes” (20+ years in age, typically 22-24) like “Doug’s green Ink”, “Black ink”, Bitter Truth, Red Hook rye, rathskeller rye, and a host of others that fetch 20-40K per bottle. It’s wild.

Beyond their sourced stuff, Willett began releasing their 4 year old distillate in 2016. And, their distillate is approaching 10 years old (Q1 of 2022). Their own distillate is super high proof in some cases (130-140 proof) and absolutely a spice-forward oil-bomb. Early on, when their distillate was reaching about 6-7 years old (2018-ish) there was a run of 19x-20x that caught fire on secondary values. Their own distillate has really grown in profile and popularity as it gets to 6-7-8 years old. Below is the Willett distillate mashbill breakdown. I tend to learn towards the OG mashbill. As of today, it can be somewhat confusing because Willett releases both sourced and primary distillate. Willett releases sourced bourbon in that 16-19yr range. Willett releases their own distillate in a 6-8 year range (soon 9, then 10 next year).



High Corn Bourbon (79/7/14 usually goes in at 103)
Original Bourbon (72/13/15 usually goes in at 125)
Wheated Bourbon (65/20/15 usually goes in at 115)
High Rye Bourbon (52/38/10 usually goes in at 125)
High Rye Rye (74/11/15 usually goes in at 110)
Low Rye Rye (51/34/15 usually goes in at 110)

9x-12x are low rye rye
18x-20x are original mashbill
40x are original mashbill
42x are low rye rye
60x-63x are low rye rye
65x-72x are high corn, low entry proof
98x is high rye rye
14xx are low rye rye
19xx-21xx are high corn high entry proof
22xx-24xx are high rye rye
26xx are original mashbill
27xx-28xx are high rye bourbon
30xx-31xx are original mashbill bourbon
32xx-33xx are wheated mashbill bourbon
36xx are high rye rye
42xx are original mashbill bourbon
47xx-48xx are high rye bourbon
52xx are high corn, high entry bourbon
60xx are high rye rye
11243 is an experimental wheater

[airchitect]

Wow! So you’re either a super hardcore enthusiast or you work at the distillery. Or both. Either way you seem to have a wondrous amount of Willett wisdom.


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[thedak]

I had (2) 13xx bottles of Willett.

Magical type stuff. Unreal good.

Drank one and traded one off before I realized what I had.

Was back in 2013ish

[thedak]

Tonights Beverage

[thedak]

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by thedak

Hmm…. I may have to start using some of my resources and look into this a little more


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[TexasRedNeck]

My kind of thread. I’m a fan of William LaRue Weller. Not sure I’ve had any of the “good” Willet yet. Will be on the lookout.


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[Bourbon]

Originally Posted by thedak

1414 is superb. I’ve killed a couple.

[mario1971]

Stocks made, there will be plenty of it for Christmas.

[thedak]

Recent trade

142.8 Blue Ink Coy Hill

[TNT009]

Originally Posted by thedak

Recent trade

142.8 Blue Ink Coy Hill

Haven't seen or read a bad review on that sucka yet!!!!

[dkg1616]

Originally Posted by thedak

Recent trade

142.8 Blue Ink Coy Hill

Haven’t been hearing good things about this from my local buddies - heard it’s hot cinnamon. Let me know what you think!

[dkg1616]

Originally Posted by Bourbon

Here’s my 5 minute-stab at understanding Willett. Please note there are always going to be some “bottles” or “barrels” that fall outside these ranges and ideas. But generally… 90% of what I say is accurate.

There are 3 generations Willett. We will focus on the third generation, which is all about the purple tops that people go crazy over these days.

Generation 1 “old Willett from the 1930’s through the 1970’s” before they switched to producing ethanol gas. Which, shut down in the 1980’s and was dormant for about 25 years”.
Generation 2 “kinda-new Willett that was re-started by Even Kulsveen (married into the Willett family) in the mid 80’s and was named “Kentucky Bourbon Distillers” (KBD)” where they sourced a bunch of bourbon and released it as an independent bottler.
Generation 3 “New Willett is know as the 2012+ era where they began distilling again. Run by Even’s son Drew. To where, in early 2022 their own distillate will reach 10yrs in age. This is the era I am going to write about.

Generation 3 is also complex. Because, when they began distilling, they also began sourcing whiskey (new and aged) from other distilleries. People get confused when they see an 8yr Willett for sale today. Because they don’t know if it’s sourced OR their own distillate.

Let’s dig into Generation 3. First, the sourced stuff. Back in 2012 they began releasing sourced whiskey that was anywhere between 4-23 years old. Most of these had wax tops. And, in 2012/13 there were some released in cognac (shaped) bottles. It’s safe to say that Willett gained huge popularity early on in the resurgence of the bourbon craze (2013-14) due to having stellar (and aged) products. When I say this I am talking about the “B Barrels” and “C barrels”. Things like B58, C10, C67A, and so on. These (and others that aren’t B/C barrels) are noted as “epic Willetts”. Beyond that (call it 2013-2017 as concentration point) they released a bevy of 9-14 year old sourced barrels that were also known as “epic” because of their profile. And, it’s rumored that they are Brown Forman (and others) in 2 specific barrel-number-runs. It’s quite common for Willett nerds to talk about the 7xx-8xx and 13xx-14xx runs (that are over 122 proof) to be some of the best whiskey on earth. To boil that down further, a Willett nerd may say “808 (126.6 proof) is far superior to 702 (120.8 proof)” due to profile AND assuming the two are different distillates. That nerd may assume that 808 is BF, and that 702 is HH. No one knows for sure (Drew does). But, that’s the general gist of how people “value” these bottles. To boil it down further. 808 may sell for 3K on secondary whereas 702 may sell for 1.5K on secondary because the community deems it “that much better”. But, it’s all about perspective, because... 702 is probably better than 95% of whiskeys out there. In the past 4 years (call it 2017-present) Willett was releasing 2 primary ranges of sourced stuff. There were things that were 7 years old (that are now 11yrs). And, there were 14 year old things that are now 18/19 years old). Many newer folks who want to jump down the “sourced Willett rabbit hole” want to get into “THE BEST” and focus on B/C barrels AND the 7xx-8xx/13xx-14xx that are above the proof that the community deems “epic”. Additionally, there is a WHOLE OTHER story about “epic Willett ryes” (20+ years in age, typically 22-24) like “Doug’s green Ink”, “Black ink”, Bitter Truth, Red Hook rye, rathskeller rye, and a host of others that fetch 20-40K per bottle. It’s wild.

Beyond their sourced stuff, Willett began releasing their 4 year old distillate in 2016. And, their distillate is approaching 10 years old (Q1 of 2022). Their own distillate is super high proof in some cases (130-140 proof) and absolutely a spice-forward oil-bomb. Early on, when their distillate was reaching about 6-7 years old (2018-ish) there was a run of 19x-20x that caught fire on secondary values. Their own distillate has really grown in profile and popularity as it gets to 6-7-8 years old. Below is the Willett distillate mashbill breakdown. I tend to learn towards the OG mashbill. As of today, it can be somewhat confusing because Willett releases both sourced and primary distillate. Willett releases sourced bourbon in that 16-19yr range. Willett releases their own distillate in a 6-8 year range (soon 9, then 10 next year).



High Corn Bourbon (79/7/14 usually goes in at 103)
Original Bourbon (72/13/15 usually goes in at 125)
Wheated Bourbon (65/20/15 usually goes in at 115)
High Rye Bourbon (52/38/10 usually goes in at 125)
High Rye Rye (74/11/15 usually goes in at 110)
Low Rye Rye (51/34/15 usually goes in at 110)

9x-12x are low rye rye
18x-20x are original mashbill
40x are original mashbill
42x are low rye rye
60x-63x are low rye rye
65x-72x are high corn, low entry proof
98x is high rye rye
14xx are low rye rye
19xx-21xx are high corn high entry proof
22xx-24xx are high rye rye
26xx are original mashbill
27xx-28xx are high rye bourbon
30xx-31xx are original mashbill bourbon
32xx-33xx are wheated mashbill bourbon
36xx are high rye rye
42xx are original mashbill bourbon
47xx-48xx are high rye bourbon
52xx are high corn, high entry bourbon
60xx are high rye rye
11243 is an experimental wheater

Real question how much did you actually write of this or are YOU the source of this. I’ve seen these type of write up multiple times - especially the barrel info and commentary on red hook, etc.

This is such great info for anyone trying to get into WFE.

My thoughts on WFE are C/B barrels or bust lol - I haven’t had anything under 8 years I’ve remotely like. Haven’t messed too much with the 10-18 year bottles, and I am sure there are some amazing ones. I think best I had was ham bone at the distillery in that range, but nothing beat B60 that day.

[TNT009]

The Grinch giveth today!!



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[thedak]

Originally Posted by dkg1616

This is such great info for anyone trying to get into WFE.

Lotta good info

[thedak]

The hype is real.

Very little typical JD banana on it.

Def hot hot cinnamon.

Looking forward to letting the bottle breathe a little and revisiting.

If you can snag one at a decent price this is a bottle to drink and def collect.

[ashbaug2]

Originally Posted by thedak

The hype is real.

Very little typical JD banana on it.

Def hot hot cinnamon.

Looking forward to letting the bottle breathe a little and revisiting.

If you can snag one at a decent price this is a bottle to drink and def collect.

I got a 139.2 proof bottle, paid $60. Haven’t cracked it yet, as we just moved, but I hear nothing but great things.

Also just snagged this.


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[Bourbon]

Originally Posted by dkg1616

Real question how much did you actually write of this or are YOU the source of this. I’ve seen these type of write up multiple times - especially the barrel info and commentary on red hook, etc.

This is such great info for anyone trying to get into WFE.

My thoughts on WFE are C/B barrels or bust lol - I haven’t had anything under 8 years I’ve remotely like. Haven’t messed too much with the 10-18 year bottles, and I am sure there are some amazing ones. I think best I had was ham bone at the distillery in that range, but nothing beat B60 that day.

Thanks, the only part I took from others was the mashbill breakdown at the end of my post.

As for B/C being the only worthwhile bottles. I’d challenge you to try something like 1406, 1385, 761, etc. but, I also understand why you said it.

[TNT009]

Definitely needs a few drops at 4am!



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[Mendota]

What do you guys recommend for some good ryes to experiment with? I really enjoyed Bulleit and that seems to be the introductory bottle to get started. There are so many of them on the shelf that it's hard to even venture a guess as to what to pick. A lot of the distillers whose bourbons and whiskeys I like also make rye. Would those be good options to start with?

For example, everyone from Jim Beam to Jack Daniels, Heaven Hill, Michter's, Wild Turkey, Basil Hayden, etc. all make ryes. Then there's higher end Willett or Whistle Pig and offerings like that.

I saw an interesting one from High West called Double Rye? They take a 2 year old and blend it with a 16 year old that has a higher corn mash bill to smoothen it out.