Noah's Mill

Profile: Noah's Mill at a glance

• Pure Kentucky Tradition: Noah’s Mill from the renowned Willett Distillery in Bardstown
• Small Batch Bourbon: Bottled in small batches and available in limited quantities
• Family Heritage with History: A Willett brand for generations
• Classic Copper Stills: Traditionally distilled with beer and pot stills again since 1997
• Sought after beyond Kentucky: Not always regularly available in Europe

Portrait: What makes the Noah's Mill special

Noah’s Mill is not a bourbon that shouts “Howdy!” and swings a lasso. He stands rather wide-legged on the porch, leans back relaxed – and knows exactly where he comes from: Bardstown, Kentucky. More precisely, from the venerable Willett Distillery, a name that carries as much weight in the bourbon world as a packed Rickhouse in the middle of summer. The distillery was owned by the Willett family until the early 1980s.
And even after that, everything somehow stayed in the family: Today it belongs to Kentucky Bourbon Distillers - with a member of the Willett clan still on board. You could say: The surname is still on the doorbell. Brands like Noah’s Mill, Old Bardstown, and Johnny Drum have been fixtures since time immemorial. They were also the ones that brought in the necessary cash to thoroughly renovate the distillery in the 1990s.
In 1997, things went truly traditional again: A beer still and a pot still went into operation. No futuristic stainless steel palace, but classic craftsmanship with copper and character. While elsewhere the focus is on maximum efficiency, in Bardstown they prefer to cherish their heritage – including creaking wooden floors and stories that are older than many a bourbon in the barrel.
Speaking of neighbors: Heaven Hill is just down the hill. After the devastating fire in 1996, Willett stepped in and supplied their colleagues with fresh distillate. Kentucky sticks together – especially when it comes to bourbon.
Noah’s Mill itself is bottled as a small-batch bourbon, meaning in small quantities. It's not mass-produced, but rather the kind of bourbon you can't find everywhere. And it's not always reliably available in Europe either.
So, anyone who discovers a bottle can feel a little bit like a treasure hunter – only without a shovel, but with a much more stylish prize.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Noah's Mill tastes like

• Nose: Robust and inviting with sweet vanilla, caramel, and toffee. These are joined by aromas of toasted oak, candied nuts, and a touch of maple syrup. Ripe fruits like cherries and plums resonate, accompanied by a subtle spiciness of cinnamon and nutmeg. A hint of leather and tobacco rounds out the bouquet.
• Palate: Full-bodied and intense on the palate. Sweet hints of caramel, brown sugar, and honey meet dark fruits and a hint of cornbread. The oak makes its presence felt with spicy notes of pepper, cinnamon, and a touch of clove. At the same time, vanilla and toffee provide a pleasant balance between sweetness and spice.
• Finish: Long and warming with lingering sweetness and spicy depth. Oak and spices remain present, accompanied by a slightly nutty note and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is powerful, yet harmonious and pleasantly dry.