Willett

Willett is based in Bardstown, Kentucky, and has its roots in the Willett family's distilling business founded in the 1930s. The company is run by the Kulsveen family, descendants of the Willetts by marriage, and is still independent and family-owned.

For many years after distilling stopped in the early 1980s, the business operated as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, bottling and selling whiskey it had sourced and aged. Distilling resumed at Bardstown in 2012, so today's range is a mix of whiskey made on site and older sourced stocks, and the label does not always say which is which.

The style runs from bold, spicy rye to rich, full-bodied bourbon. The Willett Family Estate Bottled Rye, such as the 4 Year Old, is distilled at the Willett site and is popular with rye drinkers. Willett Pot Still Reserve is easy to spot on a shelf, as the bottle is shaped like a pot still.

Other brands from the same house include Rowan's Creek and Johnny Drum, the latter met as Johnny Drum Private Stock and in Black Label and Green Label versions. These are approachable, fairly priced bourbons and a good way to get to know the house before moving on to the harder-to-find Family Estate bottlings.