ModernThirst
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    ModernThirst
    • HOME
    • News & Views
      1. Podcasts
      2. Videos
      3. Events
      4. Links
      Featured

      Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

      By BillNovember 30, 20210
      Recent

      Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

      November 30, 2021

      Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

      August 24, 2021

      Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

      August 20, 2021
    • Bourbon & Whiskey
      • Bourbon and Whiskey Reviews
      • Bourbon and Whiskey Mash Bills
      • Bourbon Information & Resources
      • All Whiskey Content
        • Bourbon
        • Rye Whiskey
        • Scotch
        • Irish Whisky
      • Distillery Visits/Kentucky Bourbon Trail
    • Food, Beer, & Lifestyle
      • Pepperheads: Hot Sauce
      • Lifestyle & Features
      • Cocktail Corner
      • Food
      • Barware
      • Other Distilled Spirits
      • All Beer Content
      • Recipes
    • Hot Sauce
    • Shop
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Patrons and Supporters
      • Sample Policy
      • Get in touch with ModernThirst
      • Advertise with ModernThirst
    ModernThirst
    Bourbon

    Willett Family Estate 10 Year (Barrel 2070) Bourbon Review

    BillBy BillApril 1, 2014Updated:November 30, 20177 Comments3 Mins Read

    Willett Family Estate Single Barrel 10 Year Bourbon (Barrel 2070)

    93 Awesome

    Sip it neat, if possible, in a Glencairn glass and you will find yourself one of the better bourbons on the market today. It is easily in the top 3 bourbons I’ve tried this year.

    glencairn-amazonStats:

    • Barrel # 2070 (Bottle 118/161)
    • Aged 10 years
    • 63.1% ABV (126.2 Proof)
    • Bottled by Willett/Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (Distillery unknown)

    What it is:

    The Willett name is a popular brand in the bourbon world today. Operating for several years as independent bottlers in Bardstown, KY, all the of the bourbon released thus far has been rectified bourbon, meaning it was distilled elsewhere, and purchased in the barrel by Willett to be released under their name. Willett recently finished construction of a still in Bardstown, KY, and has begun production on bourbon on-site. Until that bourbon is aged long enough for release, their bourbon will be sourced elsewhere.

    The Family Estate series of Bourbon and Rye mark the longer aged versions of the choice barrels of whiskey they purchase. In particular, the bourbon is aged around 10 years and released at barrel proof, making it a very popular release.

    Willett FE 10 1
    This bottle was purchased at a local store for $79.  It is 10 years old. Pulled from barrel #2070, it is 63.1% ABV (126.2 proof).  It is marked as bottle 118 of 161

    Packaging:

    Traditional tall, sloped-shoulder bottle with a cream label. The Willett crest is proudly displayed front and center and the barrel number and proof are listed on a separate label above it. The cork is waxed, and the color of the wax varies based upon the distiller’s whim or the customer’s discretion. This bottle was a dark royal blue. It’s a very attractive packaging, worthy of a prominent space on a bourbon shelf.

    Appearance:

    The bourbon is a deep, woody, earthy color that almost pleads with the nose for a deep inhalation and a taste.

    Aroma: Willett FE 10 rear

    There is a strong caramel sweetness with a hint of oak on the nose. There are some very slight banana and vanilla hints as well. It’s an extremely rich and full aroma. One of the better noses I’ve smelled all year.

    Taste:

    Full flavored right off the bat. Slight burn on the tip of the tongue followed by rich caramel and toffee on the middle. It is extremely smooth, with a very mild alcohol burn, but packed full of earthy, dark fruit flavors on the back of the mouth.

    Finish:

    Long, lasting, and satisfying. For a 126.2 proof bourbon, there is no overwhelming alcohol burn on this one, which is surprising. It is very well balanced with cinnamon and caramel lingering in the mouth long after the swallow. There is the faintest hint of tannin from the barrel, but it remains distant and only adds to the experience.

    Synopsis:

    I consider myself lucky that I get to try quite a few bourbons on a regular basis. With so many different options, it’s sometimes easy to miss the nuances between the run of the mill bourbons and the good ones.  This bourbon makes it easy to get it right, as it’s exceptional from the start.

    An excellent sipping bourbon in any right. I did try this with a few drops of distilled water. That does serve to bring out some banana flavors, but overall detracts from the fullness that makes this an exceptional bourbon. Thus, I must almost insist that a few drops of water be the demarcation line with this bourbon. Do not drink it over ice. Sip it neat, if possible, in a Glencairn glass and you will find yourself one of the better bourbons on the market today. It is easily in the top 3 bourbons I’ve tried this year.

    ModernThirst.com Score: 93 out of 100 Points.

    Willett Family Estate 8 Year 93/100

     

    Facebook Comments
    Previous ArticleGeorge T. Stagg (2009 Bottling) Bourbon Review
    Next Article Daily Toast: Cheers to Spring!
    Bill
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Bill is the Co-Founder, Editor-in Chief, and official Bourbon-o-Phile for ModernThirst.com, and Founder and Chief Blending Officer for Four Gate Whiskey Company. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. He attended the University of Kentucky in the mid to late 1990s. He has also been published on Liquor.com. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. He is married with two daughters, and lives in east Louisville. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at Bill@ModernThirst.com.

    Related Posts

    Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

    November 30, 2021

    Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

    August 24, 2021

    Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

    August 20, 2021

    7 Comments

    1. Replica Oakleys on April 22, 2014 5:28 pm

      Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!

      Reply
    2. Pingback: Upcoming Bourbon and Whiskey Reviews | ModernThirst

    3. Pingback: Whiskey Review: Willett Family Estate 4 Year Rye | ModernThirst

    4. Al on May 31, 2014 9:23 pm

      I have a bottle of Willett FEB 10 yr, and I concur with your review. This is a fine bourbon. I received it as a gift, and will make sure I always have some version of Willett FEB in my cabinet. It has wonderful flavor, tempered heat and spice, and is extremely enjoyable.

      Reply
      • Bill on May 31, 2014 10:35 pm

        This bottle is one of the best I’ve tasted this year. It is definitely worth having some on hand if you can find it!

        Reply
    5. bret on July 18, 2014 7:54 am

      where do you find this for $80?

      Reply
      • Bill on July 18, 2014 9:24 am

        This was purchased around the beginning of the year from Westport Whiskey and Wine in Louisville. Since then, I’ve seen the prices of Willett’s family estate bourbons skyrocket. I paid the same price for a 9 year at Liquor Barn a few months later, then the same for an 8 year, and later $10 more for 7 year.

        From what I’ve heard, Willett is winding down their private selection program, since their stocks of old barrels have dwindled, and they have a hard time finding older barrels on the market. So if you find anything over 7 years, I’d snatch it up, price considering. They may not be around long, and the Kulsveens have great palates for picking barrels.

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Browse Bourbon and Whiskey Reviews

    Shop T-Shirts from $18.49

     

    [bbp-login]
    Pending Reviews

     

    Shop
    Craft Beer Ratings

    Matt's Beer Ratings

    WHISKEY NEWS AND REVIEWS

    Recent Comments
    • Bill on Signed Bottles
    • Bill on Signed Bottles
    • Tracy on Signed Bottles
    Archives
    • November 2021
    • August 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    Tags
    #IfIhadaBenjamin Barrel Proof Barton Beer Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Bourbon/Whiskey Reviews Bourbon Classic bourbon review Budget buffalo trace craft Diageo distillery Elijah Craig Evan Williams Four Gate Four Roses GQuiz Heaven Hill irish Whiskey Islay Jim Beam Kentucky Luxco Matt modernthirst Modern Thirst Old Forester press release rating ratings Review Reviews Rye Score scotch Single Barrel Single Malt tasting tasting notes Video Whiskey Whisky Wild Turkey
    Recent Comments:
    • Bill on Signed Bottles
    • Bill on Signed Bottles
    • Tracy on Signed Bottles

     

     

    © 2020 ModernThirst. Please be responsible. Don’t drink and drive.

    © 2020 ModernThirst. Please be responsible. Don't drink and drive.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.