Willett Family Estate 25 Year Single Barrel Rye #1780 100 Proof Gold Wax

100 proof. 25 years. Barrel #1780. Gold Wax. Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye — the oldest own-distilled Willett expression in the current Wooden Cork collection, a 25-year rye whiskey at 100 proof in the Gold Wax tier that identifies own-distilled Bardstown production.

At 25 years, Barrel #1780 surpasses every other Willett own-distilled expression in the collection by a significant margin — the next oldest in stock is the 17yr #3626 bourbon (8 years younger). A 25-year own-distilled Willett rye is extraordinary: the distillery's modern own-distilled program only began producing in earnest in the early 2010s, meaning 25-year rye draws on stock that predates or is contemporaneous with the program's earliest years, from barrels that have spent more than two decades in the Bardstown rickhouse environment.

The Gold Wax designation confirms own-distilled production. The 100 proof bottling at 25 years reflects natural proof evolution over the extended aging period — in contrast to younger high-proof expressions, where more water remains in the barrel, a 25-year barrel at 100 proof represents significant concentration relative to the spirit's starting point.

Specs

• Distillery: Willett Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Single Barrel, Own-Distilled, Gold Wax
• Age: 25 years
• Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
• Barrel: #1780
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Willett collection at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this the oldest Willett expression in the current Wooden Cork collection? Yes — at 25 years, Barrel #1780 is the oldest own-distilled Willett expression in the current collection, 8 years older than the next-oldest (17yr #3626 bourbon).