Old Bardstown 101 Bourbon Review
In-Depth Review
In the bourbon world, Willett Distillery is known for two things – purple tops and green tops. This product from Willett has neither. Instead, it must make do with a black top, an obvious disappointment for those looking for one of the distilleries legendary single barrel bottlings. But despite the fanaticism over these limited releases, Willett continues to pump out whiskies that keep the lights on. Enter Willett’s Old Bardstown 101 Estate Bottled bourbon.
Willett’s Old Bardstown 101 proof is a small batch product designed to be an homage to an earlier time of accessible, no-frills bourbon. Just look at it. Its label looks like it’s gone 40 years without a redesign, it clocks in at a classic 101 proof, and its price has only gone up around $5 in the last 8 years to a whopping $35. So, what’s not to love? Why doesn’t this classic sour mash bottling get any of the Willett love? Today, we are going to dive in and find out.
Age: Non-Age Stated (But at least 4 years old)
ABV: 50.5%
Cask: New oak
MSRP: $35
Distillery Name: Willett Distillery
Review Date: 6/20/25
Color: Solid Caramel
Nose: The nose starts off with warm cereal grains, French Toast, candy corn, and a splash of vanilla pudding. There’s a layer of thick oak underpinning the experience, with dusty wood shavings and a metallic tinge poking through. After settling, a bit more of the young grain comes through, but is balanced well with the ever-present oak.
Palate: On the first sip, the front of the palate is lighter than expected with orange creamsicle, vanilla frosting, toasted crackers, and peanut shells. The mouthfeel remains quite light throughout, with notes of Earl Grey tea and caramel sauce becoming more prominent as it moves to the finish. A nuttier character begins to build after a few sips, giving more depth to the back of the palate.
Finish: Medium length finish with a lingering sour beer funk mixed fresh cracked white pepper and sour peanut butter. There’s more heat than I expected, but it does settle down nicely between sips.
Final Thoughts: While Willett’s Old Bardstown 101 Bourbon may not be remarkable, it is the very definition of a solid drinker. It’s nutty character and lovely heat would make it a perfect candidate for a great bourbon cocktail – with the ability to pass as a neat sipper over ice. A touch of water calms the overall experience down and provides ever more balance for the easily crushable drinker. The warm cereals notes, and dusty peanut shells remind me of a Kentucky warehouse in summer – an apt place to enjoy a pour from one of Kentucky’s most storied distilleries – even if it doesn’t reach the heights of their single barrel offerings.
