Willett Distillery

A family-owned Bardstown distillery founded in 1936 by Thompson Willett, producing its first batch on March 17, 1937. The distillery is notable for being one of the few in Kentucky to use pot stills, with their iconic copper pot still visible from the tour path. Now run by the Kulsveen family (Even Kulsveen married Martha Willett), the distillery produces from six distinct mash bills -- four bourbon and two rye -- using Kentucky grains whenever possible. Willett is also famous for its sourced and bottled whiskey under the Willett Family Estate label, which commands extremely high secondary market prices. Brands include Old Bardstown, Noah's Mill, Rowan's Creek, Johnny Drum, and the highly sought Willett Family Estate bottlings.