Discover the Willett Distillery
Discover the Willett Distillery
Whisky du monde
Known as the ‘Bourbon capital of the world’, the small city of Bardstown, located South of Louisville, is one of the birthplaces of American Whiskey. Scottish and Irish immigrants settled the fertile hills of the Bluegrass Region, west of the Appalachian Mountains, in the late 18th century. There they began growing maize, and used their knowledge of distillation to turn their surplus crops into whiskey. Kentucky’s sprawling network of navigable waterways enabled them to very quickly begin shipping barrels out of the area, which at the time was part of Bourbon County—a name that slowly became the generic term for corn whiskey. It is in the heart of this farming region, bisected by a tributary of the Ohio river, that the Willett family founded its distillery in 1936… a mere three years after the end of Prohibition.
◊ Immediately upon arrival, visitors will be surprised by the distillery’s picturesque appearance, watched over by the great tower that houses the column still. The Kentucky limestone and red cedar buildings were carefully restored by the Willett-Kulsveen family, who restarted production in 2012 after thirty-two years of dormancy.
◊ The main building houses the copper still, manufactured by Vendome Copper & Brass Works (Louisville) to Even Kulsveen’s exact specifications. The Norwegian entrepreneur, who arrived in the United States at age fourteen, worked a variety of trades before taking over the distillery alongside his wife Martha Willett, who descends from its founder. He had previously been a cook in the merchant navy, a bartender, and a glassblower – a skill he leveraged to design the Willett Pot Still Reserve’s bottle, inspired by that very same still.
◊ A number of free-roaming cats—the distillery’s mascots—patrol the gardens and visitor centre. When they are not purring on the employees’ laps, their job is to hunt the rodents which threaten the grain stores. Single Barrel #2342 is even nicknamed ‘Morris the Cat’ in reference to one of said felines.
◊ Do not miss The Bar at Willett, which is sure to charm even the most gourmet of visitors. Chef John Sleasman, who took up residence in 2019, has devised a menu inspired by the French and Nordic roots of the Kulsveens. The Egg Salad Sandwich and Pâté en croute are of particular note.
◊ As for drinks, the bar features a selection of vintage whiskies, natural wines, French spirits including old Chartreuses, and cocktails. Britt Kulsveen recommends the Old Bardstown-based Old Fashioned without a moment’s hesitation. In 2025, a prestigious competition placed the bar among the United States’ top 20 establishments.
◊ Bardstown’s centre is worth a trip. One of the oldest towns in Kentucky, its streets flanked by centenary trees and its impressive architecture are rather charming. Over two hundred buildings are listed as National Historic Landmarks, including Victorian houses, 19th century churches, and grand urban mansions. The best time of year to visit is September, when the city hosts the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
◊ Do not visit Bardstown without a visit to the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History, more commonly known as the museum of Bourbon. The centre retraces the history of whiskey distillation and production, and is evidence of the near-sacred relationship between the town and the spirit.
◊ The Civil War Museum—one of the largest museums dedicated to the conflict—is another interesting Bardstown attraction. This key period of American history is told through a vast collection of objects, uniforms, and life stories.
Willett, bourbon
Willett, bourbon
