Day 10 - Willet Pot Still Reserve
- Paul Mora
- Dec 22, 2020
- 1 min read
Day 10: Willet’s Pot Still Reserve
The bottle is obnoxious. It’s shaped like, well, a pot still and takes up far too much real estate.
However, what is in the bottle makes up for the show. It’s a single barrel at 94 proof that drinks creamy and smooth.
The nose is heavy brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, citrus (lemon), and buttered popcorn. The pallet is honey, caramel with mild coffee, and butterscotch. The finish shows off the buttered popcorn again with a spice. Really smooth -- this one should be tried neat.
A really great value for a premium whiskey.
Gorgeous!
This night was another twofer as I took a break Monday.
First, Sigrid's Nose:
Old Forester: First she said they all smell the same. Then, upon further sniffing _ This one is more complex. Smoky, vanilla, floral coffee, maple and hint of orange peel.
Willet Pot: Lighter, simpler - caramel, butterscotch, vanilla. They all have vanilla.
I was impressed that Sigrid picked up the butterscotch note - matching Paul's comments without previewing his notes.
Finally, my turn to actually imbibe. Impressions:
The Old Forester is heavy. It makes you stop, take notice, and focus on what you're drinking. It stands up to a little water and rocks. you're just not doing anything else while you're drinking it.
The Willett Pot…
Sorry a little behind
Need to double up.
So far my favorites are
Bulliet Blenders I enjoyed very much.
Evan Williams I enjoyed so much I went and purchased. I really like this one a lot.
Old Forester had a bite but once I let it breathe a little it was enjoyable.
These whiskeys are a next level for me from my Buffalo Trace or Four Roses Small Batch.
I got a bit of copper and peanut-brittle on the nose. Taste opened up with pepper, caramel and a buttery smoothness. The second taste was oak and cocoa powder. This one is well made, tight. I appreciate its focus. The buttery smoothness was its best quality. This is another one of those I could drink for a couple of hours, before I start talking to the TV. Nice.
This is an easy sipper for sure, almost too easy. It’s just a touch sweet, a touch more of rye would be my only tweak. Since I typically enjoy an IPA while I sip bourbon that provides the palate ‘cut’ for me with this one, it is a great pairing for me. I get spiced caramel apple, but the good hard caramel, not the oozy brown Christmas fair stuff. Definitely getting a bottle of this one.