Old Bardstown 101
Price History
Overview
Old Bardstown 101 is an estate-bottled bourbon from Willett Distillery in Kentucky, crafted as one of the distillery's rare in-house productions rather than sourced whiskey. It delivers a surprising rye-like profile in a bourbon context, balancing sweetness with herbal elements at barrel strength.
Specs at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Style | Bourbon |
| ABV | 50.5% |
| Mashbill | Unknown |
| Release Info | Estate-bottled from Willett's homemade stock |
| Age | At least 4 years |
Good to know
Willett Distillery, a small Kentucky operation that has expanded amid high demand for its sourced whiskeys, produces this as a less-hyped estate offering with limited public details. Reviewers highlight its atypical bourbon character, marked by herbal and licorice notes that evoke rye more than traditional sweet mashbill expectations.
Tasting notes
- Nose: Sweet honey and fruity sweetness lead, joined by licorice, musty citrus, herbal pine, fern, and winter forestry accents, with oak, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and dark chocolate in support.
- Palate: Herbal pine and licorice dominate with rye-like intensity, tempered by vegetal honey sweetness and minimal alcohol harshness for easy drinking.
- Finish: Fades with lingering oak spice and subtle sweetness, unremarkable in length but smooth.
Notable details
- Production: Aged at least 4 years in virgin American white oak barrels; non-chill filtered implied by distillery style.
- Lineage: From Willett Distillery, known for premium sourced releases that command secondary premiums.
- Comparison: Often likened to rye whiskeys over bourbons due to its herbal profile; less prestigious than Willett's sourced lineup.
- Availability: MSRP $30-40, positioned as mid-shelf value.
"Old Bardstown Estate Bottled 101 is an enjoyable but unmemorable whiskey that tastes more like rye than bourbon, earning a mid-shelf rating." – The Whiskey Shelf
A straightforward, approachable bourbon for everyday sipping with an unexpected herbal edge.
Sources
[1] Thewhiskeyshelf – "In Depth: Old Bardstown Estate Bottled 101 Review | The Whiskey Shelf"
[2] Breakingbourbon – "Old Bardstown Estate Bourbon Review | Breaking Bourbon"
[3] Breakingbourbon – "Old Bardstown Estate Bottled Bourbon Review | Breaking Bourbon"