Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Bourbon wears the purple top with plenty of attitude for a relatively young whiskey. It’s a commingling of two house mash bills, both barreled at 125 proof, then bottled at cask strength for unapologetic flavor. Everything here points straight back to Bardstown: warm rackhouses, spicy air, and that slightly wild streak Willett fans chase.

The nose fires up quickly with caramelized brown sugar and vanilla bean over toasted oak and warm bakery spice. Give it a swirl, and you’ll catch dark cherry syrup, orange peel, and a dusting of cocoa. There’s a faint singe of charred stave and burnt sugar that nudges the aroma toward campfire dessert territory.

On the palate, the whiskey arrives thick and assertive, but not clumsy. Think brown-butter cornbread crust soaked in toffee, spiced cherry cola, and vanilla fudge. High-rye energy shows as cracked pepper, cinnamon stick, and a little clove tucked into the mid-palate. Oak stays present without turning bitter, lending roasted peanut shell and a hint of tobacco leaf.

The finish runs long, drier than the nose suggests, with sweet oak, charred wood, and a steady peppery glow down the chest. Caramel corn, toasted coconut, and lingering baking spice trail behind. A splash of water brings out more citrus and toffee if you want to linger.

It suits late-night pours, shared among people who already know why purple tops matter.

Nose: Caramelized brown sugar, vanilla bean, and toasted oak step forward first. Behind them sit baking spice, dark cherry compote, orange zest, and a light cocoa powder edge. Hints of charred stave and warm corn muffin round out the aroma.

Palate: Full-bodied and mouth-coating, it shows toffee, vanilla fudge, and brown-butter cornbread over spiced cherry cola and caramelized citrus. Rye character brings black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and a touch of herbal warmth—roasted peanut, tobacco leaf, and charred oak build with time in the glass.

Finish: Long, warming, and slightly dry, the finish leans into sweet oak, charred wood, and gentle peppery heat.
Caramel corn, toasted coconut, and lingering baking spice cling to the palate. A faint cocoa-and-orange echo hangs on after the sweetness fades.

This small batch Willett loves bold, savory food with caramelized edges. Pair it with char-crusted ribeye, bourbon-glazed pork ribs, or smoked turkey brushed with brown sugar and black pepper.

Aged Gouda, clothbound cheddar, or nutty Alpine cheeses echo the toffee and oak while adding a welcome bite.

For dessert, reach for pecan pie, burnt-sugar bread pudding, or dark chocolate tart with candied orange peel to mirror its cherry, spice, and cocoa notes.