Old Bardstown Surface Miner

Willett Distillery, located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, is a family-owned producer of premium Bourbon and Rye whiskey with roots tracing back to the post-Civil War era. While the Willett family began distilling operations shortly after the Civil War, the distillery was formally established in its modern form in 1936 by Thompson Willett and his brother Johnnie. After ceasing distilling in the 1980s, the company focused on sourcing and aging exceptional barrels, becoming renowned for their meticulous selection process under the Willett Family Estate and Kentucky Vintage labels. In 2012, under the leadership of Drew Kulsveen (Thompson's grandson) and his family, Willett resumed distilling on-site, marking a new chapter in their storied history. Today, Willett is celebrated for its small-batch and single-barrel expressions, combining traditional methods with modern craftsmanship, and remains one of Kentucky's most respected independent distilleries.