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Willett Family Estate 3 Year Rye Whiskey

October 30, 2020 · By Bourbon in Indiana · 8.2 / 10
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Whiskey Consensus Score
8.2 /10
Very Good
Score Breakdown
Complexity
7.8
Nose
8.2
Palate
8.3
Finish
8.3
Value
8.2
Consensus Score
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Nose
Palate
Finish
Complexity
Value
8.2
/ 10
Our Verdict
Very Good

The Willett Family Estate 3 Year Rye Whiskey is made in small batches, is 110 proof, and comes with a price tag of around $55.

The Good

  • Balanced Flavors
  • Quintessential Rye Whiskey

The Bad

  • Availability
  • Lacks Complexity
Willett Family Estate 3 Year Rye Whiskey

A little background

Willett Distillery is located in Bardstown, Kentucky. The Willett Family Estate 3 Year Rye Whiskey is made in small batches, is 110 proof, and comes with a price tag of around $55. The whiskey is a blend of two mash bills, the 1st being 74% rye, 11% corn, and 15% malted barley, and the other being 51% rye, 34% corn, and 15% malted barley. These Willett releases have become more sought after over the last couple of years as the distillery has been releasing 4, 7, and 10-year-old versions of the offering as well.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Amber

Nose

On the nose, I get sweet tea, flowers, fresh mint, and vanilla. There is a touch of citrus, fresh-cut grass, and rye spice in the background as well.

Palate

The palate follows the nose as the notes remain the same with the fresh mint and rye spice becoming the most prominent attributes.

Finish

This rye whiskey has a medium-length finish with the big notes being fresh mint and vanilla.

In closing

Willett Family Estate 3 Year Rye Whiskey is a solid rye whiskey that if you can find at retail pricing is probably worth picking up and having on your bar. It is not going to blow your mind, but it does offer some pleasant characteristics, especially if you are a rye drinker.

Willett Family Estate 3 Year Rye Whiskey

110 Proof
8.2

Complexity

7.8/10

Nose

8.2/10

Palate

8.3/10

Finish

8.3/10

Value

8.2/10

The Good

  • Balanced Flavors
  • Quintessential Rye Whiskey

The Bad

  • Availability
  • Lacks Complexity
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Review Rye Whiskey Willett

Every bottle on Whiskey Consensus is evaluated across five categories on a 1–100 scale. The five scores are averaged to produce a final overall score out of 10.

Nose
Aroma, complexity & first impressions
Palate
Flavor, balance & mouthfeel
Finish
Length, character & quality
Complexity
Depth, layers & evolution in the glass
Value
Quality relative to retail price
Score Rating What It Means
9.5 – 10.0ExceptionalOne for the history books
9.0 – 9.4OutstandingA benchmark expression
8.5 – 8.9GreatSeek this bottle out
8.0 – 8.4Very GoodAbove average in every way
7.5 – 7.9GoodWorth your money
7.0 – 7.4Above AverageA solid everyday pour
6.5 – 6.9AverageUnremarkable but drinkable
6.0 – 6.4Below AverageHard to recommend
5.5 – 5.9Hard PassBetter options at this price
0.0 – 5.4AvoidNot worth your time or money
Bourbon in Indiana
About the Author
Bourbon in Indiana
Whiskey Reviewer · Whiskey Consensus  · 57 posts

Small town guy from Indiana that enjoys trying new bourbons and sharing them with his friends and family. For him, bourbon started as a hobby and quickly turned into a way to connect and interact with new people. You can find/contact him on Instagram @bourbon_in_indiana

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