Willett Distillery: Family Owned Bourbon in Bardstown
Willett Distillery is a family owned bourbon producer on the outskirts of Bardstown, Kentucky, on land that began as a Willett family farm.
At a glance
Location: outskirts of Bardstown, Kentucky
Established: 1936 by Thompson Willett, though the family whiskey legacy began earlier
Ownership: private and family owned
Former company name: Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) from 1984 to 2012
Bottlings: whiskeys from two years of maturity up to 28 years
Website: kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com
The story
According to the official site, Thompson Willett learned the craft from his father and grandfather. The site's timeline runs from the family's early American history through the founding, the Kulsveens, the move to small batch bourbon, the fifth generation, the iconic pot still, and The Bar at Willett opening to guests.
Range
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Willett Family Estate
Willett Family Estate 4 Year Rye
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Kentucky Vintage
Noah's Mill
Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond
Old Bardstown 90 Proof
Old Bardstown Estate Bottled
Pure Kentucky
Rowan's Creek
Willett Wheat
Timeline and family
The official About page says Willett Distillery was established in 1936 by Thompson Willett, though the family's whiskey legacy began long before. Thompson learned the craft from his father and grandfather. The page timeline starts with the Willett family in early American history in 1684 and moves through the founding, the original brand, the Kulsveens, the move to small batch bourbon, the fifth generation, the arrival of guests, the iconic pot still, and the opening of The Bar at Willett. Mrs. Martha Willett Kulsveen and Mr. Even Kulsveen are named. The page gives no dates for the middle chapters, so none are stated here.
The home page says Willett remains family owned and operated by Thompson Willett's grandchildren, and describes it as one of Kentucky's original family owned distilleries.
Visiting
Address: 1869 Loretto Road, Bardstown, KY 40004
Visitor centre phone: 502 501 9699
Visitor centre hours seen on 20 October 2026: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5:30pm, reservations recommended
The Bar at Willett: Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 5:30pm, up to 8 guests per reservation, last reservation 5:30pm
Self guided tours of the grounds are not permitted, and by state law guests may take part in only one tour experience per day
Closed on New Year's Eve and Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The site notes construction is underway to better accommodate guests
The legal entity named on the visit page is Kentucky Bourbon Distillers Ltd., doing business as Willett Distillery.
Where is Willett Distillery?
On the outskirts of Bardstown, Kentucky.
Who owns Willett?
The Willett family. It is private and family owned.
Who is the master distiller?
The official About page does not name one, so this profile leaves it out until it is confirmed.
Official website
Facts in this profile come from the official site and public reference summaries. Whisky Clan does not publish tasting notes in its distillery profiles.
Further sources checked on 20 October 2026: the official Willett home, About and Visit pages, or the official Michter's home, Our Legacy and Production pages. Not reached: michters.com/about (404). Hours, prices and ownership claims are as seen on that date and should be rechecked before publishing. Not tried: Whisky Advocate, Whiskybase, trade press.
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