We recently celebrated a family member’s birthday at a local speakeasy. This was an interesting experience, as keeping in character, there was a store-front to the speakeasy that required a password. By pressing a book on a shelf, a hidden door was revealed. As we reviewed the bourbon listing, I took the opportunity to try a bourbon that I had seen before but had yet to enjoy – Noah’s Mill.
A big family
Noah’s Mill is from the Willett Family of bourbons and whiskeys. You’ll recall that Willett – which also markets itself as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers – offers a number of brands: Willett Pot Still, Willett Estate, Rowan Creek, Johnny Drum, Pure Kentucky, Kentucky Vintage, Old Bardstown, and this high-proof offering – Noah’s Mill.
With roots back to the 1930’s, Willett has been both a distiller and a sourcer of bourbon – purchasing a variety of barrels (likely from its Bardstown neighbor, Heaven Hill). A half-dozen years ago, Willett broke ground on a renovated distillery and by 2016 was releasing its very own produced products. Today, the brand is one of the newest additions to the Kentucky Craft Bourbon Trail.
The Tasting
Introduced in the 1990s, Noah’s Mill is a small batch product bottled at 114.3 proof (whew!). A while back, the brand carried a 15-year age statement, though that was dropped as bourbon demand soared.
Most believe this is a blend of bourbons aged between 4 and 20 years. While Willett doesn’t share the contents of the mashbill, rumors say the product is blended from traditional bourbons, ryes and wheated bourbons.
Eye: Medium amber
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and a lot of spice
Palate: Baking spices, including nutmeg and cinnamon, vanilla, oak, and leather
Finish: Long and spicy
Overall: This was a fine product. I drank this one neat, and while it was “warm”, it wasn’t “hot”. Without the bottle in front of me, I wouldn’t have guessed that the proof was that high. While this is still a sourced product, I look forward to the day when Willett can offer its own distillate for this great product.