Willett is a family-made Kentucky bourbon with a devoted following, poured at Grappa in Queen Anne, Seattle. It is a pour for those who appreciate craftsmanship, heritage, and a whiskey with genuine character. (The menu lists it as “Willet,” though the family name is spelled Willett.)
About the Distillery
Willett Distillery sits on a family farm just outside Bardstown, Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country. Founded in 1936 shortly after the repeal of Prohibition, the distillery is now led by fifth-generation whiskey maker Drew Kulsveen. Willett built its reputation as an independent bottler before returning to distilling its own spirit, and today its Family Estate bourbons are prized for their small-batch attention and distinctive house style.
Style & Mash Bill
The Willett Family Estate bottling is a small-batch bourbon, drawn from a modest number of barrels and bottled at a strength chosen by the master distiller. Willett works with two traditional family mash bills, one corn-forward with a gentle rye accent, and one notably higher in rye for added spice and structure. Each batch reflects the hand-selected, barrel-by-barrel approach that has made the Family Estate line a favorite among collectors.
Tasting Notes
Expect warm vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar on the nose, with subtle baking spice and oak char. The palate offers sweet corn, butterscotch, and honey, threaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted rye. The finish is long and complex, with lingering oak, gentle pepper, and toffee. It is a polished, generous bourbon that drinks beautifully on its own.
What to Pair It With
Willett’s caramel and spice make it a graceful companion to our Sicilian meatballs and a thoughtfully composed charcuterie board, where the bourbon’s sweetness plays against cured meats and aged cheeses. It is equally at home beside our American Wagyu steaks. See the full dine-in menu for more.
How It’s Served at Grappa
We pour Willett neat or over ice for $19. Sip it slowly to let its layered sweetness and oak unfold.
FAQ
Where is it from?
Willett is made at the family-owned Willett Distillery on a farm just outside Bardstown, Kentucky, in the heart of bourbon country.
What does it taste like?
It offers vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar with butterscotch, honey, and baking spice, finishing long with oak, gentle pepper, and toffee.
Is it a high-rye or wheated bourbon?
It is not wheated. Willett works with two traditional family mash bills, one corn-forward and one notably higher in rye, both grain-forward bourbons.
To enjoy Willett with us, book a table, browse the cocktail & spirits list, and the dine-in menu.
