Willett FE 13 yr "Second Line" Rye Whiskey 750ml

Willett Distillery has operated on the same family farm outside Bardstown, Kentucky since 1936, when it was founded by A. Lambert Willett and his sons. After a period sourcing and bottling whiskey as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, the Kulsveen family, descendants of the original Willetts, returned the company to full production, and Willett ryes are now released almost entirely as hand selected single barrels rather than blended batches.

This particular bottling, Barrel No. 3627, spent thirteen years aging in Willett's rickhouses and was given the name Second Line, in a nod to the celebratory parade tradition of New Orleans jazz. Like most of Willett's rye, it was distilled from a high rye mash bill for a spicier, drier profile than a typical bourbon, then left untouched by any additional water, coloring, or chill filtration. It was bottled straight from the barrel at cask strength, coming in at 120.2 proof.

After thirteen years in oak, the whiskey shows deep caramel, baking spice, and toasted oak char on the nose, with hints of dried fruit underneath. The palate carries bold rye spice alongside dark cherry, vanilla, and warm toffee. It finishes long and dry, with lingering pepper and leather.