Willett Speakeasy Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Bardstown, Kentucky distilled, aged, and bottled at the Willett Distillery at 98 proof (49% ABV), a Prohibition-era-inspired Kentucky straight bourbon that carries the Willett family’s Bardstown heritage in an accessible everyday format.

The Speakeasy name references the illicit bars that operated during Prohibition (19201933) hidden establishments where bourbon continued to flow despite the federal ban. For a Bardstown family distillery like KBD, whose roots in Kentucky bourbon date to the 1930s just after Repeal the connection is personal: the Willett family began distilling commercially in the immediate post-Prohibition era, when Kentucky distillers were rebuilding the industry that Prohibition had tried to end. The Speakeasy pays tribute to that resilience.

The most accessible expression in the Willett lineup, the Speakeasy delivers genuine Kentucky straight bourbon character at 98 proof from one of Bardstown’s most historically significant family distilleries.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Brown sugar, molasses, and caramel with warm oak and a touch of vanilla.
• Palate: Smooth and approachable at 98 proof with vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel. More body and presence than lower-proof expressions while remaining easy-drinking.
• Finish: Sweet and warm with gentle oak spice fading cleanly.

Specs

• Distillery: Willett Distillery / Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• ABV: 49% (98 proof)
• Size: 750ml

Browse the full bourbon collection at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Willett Speakeasy a good value bourbon? From a family distillery in Bardstown with five generations of heritage, yes it delivers genuine Kentucky straight bourbon from one of the category’s most respected names at a price that makes it practical for everyday use.
• How does Speakeasy compare to Old Bardstown? Both are accessible KBD expressions. Old Bardstown is known for a particularly soft and approachable profile; Speakeasy at 98 proof has a bit more body and presence. Both are significantly below the Family Estate single barrel program in complexity and price.

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