Speakeasy by Willett

79c/14mb/7r

I'm doing a two-fer tonight. I just finished and reviewed Old Fitzgerald 7 Year BiB, and felt like keeping things going with another new acquisition.... Color: Medium/Light Copper Nose: Oak; Molasses; something strangely fruity about this nose. Like "watermelon" fruity. Wonder if that will translate over to the palate.... Palate: (Drank with a large ice ball) Slightly astringent on the initial sip. Not much burn at all. Spicy and tannic. This is one of those pours that I am getting things from, but I just can't pinpoint them. There's a definite "bitter" thing going on, but it's not necessarily an off-putting "bitter". Ice definitely tamps down the bitterness. But then, it also tamps down anything else that might want attention. Finish: The finish is medium with bitter spiciness and the nondescript profile lingering. Final Thoughts: I just don't know... this isn't bad, but it's not great. It's one of those bottles that perplexes me... "Do I like this? Do I not like this? What IS that I'm tasting?". On its own, it's perfectly fine. But if I put this up against some of my favorites in a blind, I'm pretty sure this would underperform. I've gotta keep things real... following on the Old Fitzgerald 7 Year BiB, I can't give this one more than a 2.75. It might warrant a 3.0., but not tonight. As far as Wilett goes, I've had their Noah's Mill, Rowan's Creek, Pure Kentucky, and Old Bardstown Estate. This is at the bottom of the Willett totum pole. Will I buy again? Probably not. Added 8/16/25: I just conducted a blind between this new Speakeasy and its Willett sibling, Old Bardstown Estate. I gave the former a lower rating than latter... however, I am not so sure. I was either overly generous to the Estate, or overly unfair to the Speakeasy. The main difference being, this Speakeasy is much sweeter... and, even though it's only 3% ABV less than the Estate bottling, it's considerably "lighter" (less burn), and smoother. I guess in the end, it's all subjective. I'm leaving my ratings for each the same. But I felt it appropriate that I mention this. Added 9/1/25: Sipping on this tonight. Upping my rating to 3.0. This is a decent pour. Won't be buying again — at least not until the new release in what? Five years? But it's a fine Bourbon. Much better than the Ragged Branch I dumped last night.

Dry and more bitter than the other Willet expressions, which is a nice touch. But there isn't body, which is more apparent with the cinnamon spice I'm getting. Fairly good, but not as good as their pure Kentucky.