Old Bardstown Estate Bottled Bourbon

Product Description

Old Bardstown Estate Bottled Bourbon: Willett’s House Bourbon at 101 Proof

Old Bardstown Estate Bottled is a Kentucky straight bourbon from the Willett Distillery, the family-owned distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, home to Willett Pot Still Reserve, Noah’s Mill, and Rowan’s Creek. It’s the Old Bardstown label’s original flagship, and the label states it is distilled, aged, and bottled by Willett Distillery. It’s a bourbon that doesn’t chase hype. It’s a bold 101 proof, with a style that’s a little herbal and a little different, and reviewers regularly say it over-delivers for the price.

If you’ve had a lot of sweet, vanilla-forward bourbon and want something with more personality, this is a good one to try. It’s been scored 95 points in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, and it won a Silver Medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

How Old Bardstown Estate Bottled Is Made

Old Bardstown uses Willett’s house bourbon recipe of 72% corn, 13% rye, and 15% malted barley. The malted barley is roughly triple what a typical bourbon uses, which is a big part of its distinctive herbal, fruity character. The mash is sour-mash fermented with Kentucky limestone water, distilled, and aged in new charred American oak. As a straight bourbon, it’s at least four years old. It’s bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), a strength the brand chose to give it more weight and length than a standard 80 or 90 proof bourbon.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Sweet, herbal, and citrusy, with hints of honey, orange, and spice. Reviewers often note an unusual brandy-like lift.

Palate: Herbaceous, with sweet fruit and vanilla on a layer of oak and earthiness that goes on and on.

Finish: Long and spicy, with lingering oak, cinnamon, and herbal notes.

Food Pairings

The herbal, citrus, and oak character of Old Bardstown pairs well with grilled steak, slow-roasted pork shoulder, and smoked sausage. It also goes well with aged cheeses like sharp cheddar, gouda, and blue cheese, and with dark chocolate truffles.

Serving Suggestions

At 101 proof, Old Bardstown is best sipped neat or with a few drops of water, to open up the citrus and herbal notes. A single large ice cube works too. The higher proof makes it a strong choice for spirit-forward cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, where it won’t get lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is Old Bardstown Estate Bottled? 101 proof (50.5% ABV).

What is the mash bill? 72% corn, 13% rye, and 15% malted barley.

Who makes it? Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

How old is it? At least four years old, since it’s a Kentucky straight bourbon.

Why does it taste herbal? The high proportion of malted barley, along with Willett’s yeast and distillation, gives it a distinctive herbal, earthy character.

How is it different from Willett Pot Still Reserve? Old Bardstown is a higher proof (101), with a more herbal, rye-bread character. Pot Still Reserve is a softer, wheated bourbon at 94 proof.

Is it good for cocktails? Yes. The 101 proof holds up well in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

Explore More

Want to try another Willett bourbon? Check out the Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon, a softer wheated bourbon in a famous pot still bottle. Browse our full Bourbon collection for more Kentucky bourbons.

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