Willett

On the very same hilltop property in Bardstown, Kentucky, where Thompson Willett founded his first distillery back in 1936, distilling once again takes place today under the Willett Distillery name. In between lie decades of a turbulent history: the distillery was forced to close in the late 1970s, before Even and Martha Kulsveen – Willett's daughter – took over the property in 1984.

As Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD), the family first built a successful business sourcing and maturing whiskey from other distilleries, before their own distilling returned in 2012. From the Willett Pot Still Reserve to the Family Estate Rye, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.

How did the Kulsveen family come to own Willett?

In 1936, Thompson Willett founded the Willett Distilling Co. on the family property in Bardstown, and the first barrel was filled as early as 1937. When the bourbon market collapsed in the 1970s, the distillery was forced to close. Even Kulsveen, who had married Martha, Thompson Willett's daughter, took over the property together with her in 1984 and renamed the company Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD).

How did a bottler become a distillery again?

Even Kulsveen recognised early on the opportunity to buy high-quality, already-aged bourbon cheaply from other Kentucky distilleries amid the market glut of the time. In the 1990s, the family established the "Small Batch Boutique Bourbon Collection" under the KBD label, with brands including Rowan's Creek, Noah's Mill, Kentucky Vintage, and Pure Kentucky. It was only on 21 January 2012 that the family's own distilling returned to the historic family property with a new copper pot still – since then, the company has once again operated under its original name, Willett Distillery. Even Kulsveen, regarded as a pioneer of the bourbon renaissance, passed away in September 2025.

Overview of the most popular bottlings

1. Willett Pot Still Reserve
The distillery's classic Kentucky straight bourbon bottling.
Taste: Caramel, vanilla, and spicy oak.
Serving suggestion: An excellent introduction to Willett's own distillate.

2. Willett Family Estate Small Batch Rye
A bold cask-strength rye whiskey.
Taste: Spicy and peppery with intense rye bite.
Serving suggestion: For rye lovers who like it bold.

Facts and figures

Founded: 1936 by Thompson Willett, Bardstown, Kentucky. Own distilling resumed: 21 January 2012. Family: Kulsveen (since 1984).