Willett Bourbon Pot Still Reserve Review: Is it really as bad as I've heard?

It’s definitely not bad, but a little overpriced. Cool bottle that is now used for my bourbon infinity bottle.

Well your right, great bourbon? No. Drinkable? Yes. Easy going? Yes. Buy it again? Yes. Does it rate to say a Elisha Craig Barrel proof or a Russels 10yr or Single Barrel? No. Cost is fair but I would say you are paying for that special bottle. Over all, it is a mild easy going Bourbon that I would say it would be good for beginners to find their way.

It's really really bad.

Not the worst thing I’ve ever had, but it is ok to have on occasion.

I went to Willet back in October of 2022 it was an awesome craft dist. They model that bottle off of the one of a kind pot still they have on site.

You want to understand the hate - its the bottle - It is an average pour as you saw, then look at how much space it takes on a shelf or counter, which is at least 2, if not 3 - 4 bottles. That type of presentation and pretentiousness is ok if you are say and 13th Colony Double Oak, or an Old Forester Birthday, but it is the space the bottle takes for what the juice is inside that creates all the negativity.

Crushable. perfect description.

This is easily the worst bourbon I've had the last few years, and it's not like I am hanging out drinking Pappy all the time.

Your dusty likely taste nothing like the current iteration using their own juice

I got one of the first bottles when they switched to their own juice. I got the grassy note I get on underaged wheat bourbons. I ended up giving away the bottle. I’ve heard some later batches are better.

Yes, it is.

One of the all time worst. Old Willett family estates are some of the best bourbons of all time though!

I love that stuff. Awesome by itself or with Dr. Pepper.

I've been through 2 and did wonder why it got ripped. nothing special and over priced. but not as bad as people made it out to be. cheers🥃

I purchased this to make a killer bong!

The bottles cool you got I have one on the shelf and that’s why we pay 60 but with that being said after you pay 60 at least you have something that’s pretty decent to drink. It is not bad.

i was gonna try just for the bottle... but maybe i shouldn't... thanks!

It's a $25 small batch in a $35 bottle.

Yep I like it. This is not my favorite bourbon but I do like it and I can’t figure out why there is so much hate for Willett pot still bourbon. 🤷‍♂️

I think this has a bad rap simply because of people's own perceptions. People see the bottle and expect something special when in reality it's just a $40 whiskey (is that supposed to be expensive?). There is nothing wrong with having a general purpose bourbon. Willet wanted to have some fun with a normal product and people malign it. Enthusiasts are insufferable sometimes lol.

There's nothing off-putting about it, IMO. I think some people are just influenced by hate instead of using their own objective assessment. Many of the same people who say this is the worst bourbon ever will likely sell their souls for a Willett Purple Top which is yes, much more refined, but a few of the same core Willett notes found in Purple Top can also be found in Pot Still. Just saying😎🥃

I like it, reminds me more of a sweat tea, good for warmer weather

I like most everything they distill including this one.

It’s a shelf turd around here and typically under $40.

O...Eine wunderschöne Frau, die offensichtlich deutlich mehr Ahnung von Alkohol hat, als ich? Gefällt mir :)
Nice greetings from Germany...the land with the World’s Dumbest Energy Policy

I went years without trying this because of the negative feedback I had received. When I eventually tried it I was pleasantly surprised. It is definitely not terrible and I would say above average. I will definitely not have an issue revisiting this bottle. Great review!

Interesting you have a dusty. I have heard that there is some date cutoff where it became actually Willet's distillate, vs sourced whiskey. At that point it may have actually become a wheater. I dunno im paraphrasing stuff I've read, but there is some point where it changed. Been told by a few people to revisit it.

Disagree, it's an amazing bourbon. It's made in a copper pot still.

Don't waste your money it's gross

We don't get it in Va. On a recent trip to Md, saw it everywhere. Passed on it due to reviews. At a cigar bar I saw it and tried it. Delish! Bought 2 bottles. I have to stop myself from quaffing it. I can't stand BT yet this is crushable.

I just got my first bottle and I'm glad that I saw this video.

I like to try bourbons. Bought for the bottle. My first taste was awful. Set the bottle aside for a couple of months. Went back to it and it didn’t taste that bad to me. Went on to finish that bottle over the next couple of weeks. I don’t think I will buy another tho.

It BETTER be good
it has my last name on it, so I'm gonna defend it no matter what

If it wasnt in a fancy bottle .. more people would like it .Its pretty good stuff

If you're interested in relaying a more experienced taster vibe, perhaps talk more about the initial taste before going for a second.

In the summer you put this on ice and it becomes sweet tea...dangerous good!!!

I pick up a maple note

I get butterscotch, buttered popcorn and a weird plastic note. Very soft mouthfeel.

Goid whiskey. If your a no then your not probably a bourbon drinker.

Definitely not worth $60 better priced around $35

I think this is one of those that is price dependent. Here in Ohio Willett Pot Still sells for $56 msrp and if you get it for that price its a great bottle overall. But the problem is so many people cant find one so they pay 3x msrp on secondary and when they try it its a huge disappointment because its not a $200 whiskey so of course it doesnt live up to what they paid for it and i think that's where a lot of the bad reputation comes from. Dont overpay for any bourbon on secondary!!!

Just went to Willett a few weeks ago, awesome tour. PSR isn’t my favorite but i did pick up some Noah’s Mill while i was there. I swear they’re using brettanomyces in their yeast blend, because the barnyard mineral notes you mentioned all taste like a brett beer to me. I like brett beers, so I don’t mind it but I can see how it’d be off-putting.

Thank you so much for your video. It's very well done and fun
I actually just bought Willet, before I heard your video.
I found it to be very enjoyable.
It's a bit unique, but definitely tasty.
And, without a doubt, I love the bottle.

That definitely ain’t no Yankee accent there, sounds like a southern girl to me! I just picked up a sampler bottle of this today, im looking forward to trying it

I have been on multiple tours and tastings at Willett, and liked it then. I have 3 empty bottles and I have a 4th that I recently opened. Yuck, something has changed. I don't feel I would ever pick this over BT. Also just if anyone is wondering, I keep my bourbon in a dark, cool closet.

IF your l;ooking to improve this AND you have a cocktail smoker TRY smoking this whiskey in my opinion it improves it???

What the fuck are you people talking about?? This is one of Kentucky's (and the world's - they go back something like 12 generations) most iconic producers. And this whiskey isn't their best, but it is a very good bourbon. Over been selling whiskey for over 18 years and I've never heard anybody say a bad word about Willett. You people are fucking crazy

I’ve been trying to figure out all the hate on this one. I revisited it after catching a lot of flack about saying I liked it. I really put some thought into it this time and I think it’s the little bit of barnyard funk as some people call it, but it’s like the rind on brie cheese, or the taste of blue cheese, mixed with pinenuts and a little oak. It’s definitely a savory whiskey versus a sweet one. It’s not my taste preference all the time but I don’t like blue cheese every day.

It’s different. If you go into this bottle expecting that classic Buffalo trace bourbon you’re going to hate it.

It’s minty and nothing quite like it. I’ve found I like Noah’s Mill slightly better.

Similar to BT?! Wha? It's young, bitter, but lasting (I'll give it that). I think you hit it on the head with the copper note. That is the taste that hangs around, like having sucked on a penny.

Will try it again, first time it tasted freaking WEIRD.. don't even remember what the note was, just that it was unenjoyable.