Willet is a brand of rye whiskey that originated in New York in the 19th century. Willet continues to be produced today, though the ownership has changed hands over the years. In the opening paragraphs, I’ll provide a quick overview of Willet’s history and current ownership status.
Willet was originally founded in 1820 by Lambert Willet in New York. The Willet family continued to own and operate the distillery for over 150 years until the 1970s. At that point, the brand was sold to Glenmore Distilleries Company. In the 1990s, Glenmore went bankrupt and Willet was purchased by Even Kulsveen and his sons, who revived the brand.
Willet Ownership History
Here is a brief timeline summarizing the major changes in ownership of Willet over the past two centuries:
1820 | Willet founded by Lambert Willet in New York |
1870s | Willet family continues to own and operate distillery for over 150 years |
1970s | Willet sold to Glenmore Distilleries Company |
1990s | Glenmore goes bankrupt, Willet purchased by Even Kulsveen and sons |
Today | Willet owned by Kulsveen family under Kentucky Bourbon Distillers Ltd. |
As the timeline shows, Willet was owned by the Willet family for over a century before being acquired by larger corporations in the 20th century. Even after those companies went under, the brand was revived by the Kulsveen family, who have continued the tradition of family ownership into the 21st century.
Current Ownership Under Kulsveen Family
Willet is currently owned by Even Kulsveen, his son Britt Kulsveen, and other members of the Kulsveen family under their company Kentucky Bourbon Distillers Ltd. The company is based in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Even Kulsveen was a Norwegian immigrant with a background in the liquor business in Scandinavia. In the 1990s, he recognized the untapped potential of the Willet name and purchased the brand and distillery facilities.
Kulsveen and his sons set about slowly rebuilding the distillery and brand. They focused on producing high-quality, small-batch rye whiskeys, resuscitating old recipes and techniques. Their dedication paid off, as Willet began winning awards and earning praise from whiskey connoisseurs.
Today, Britt Kulsveen serves as executive vice president and manager of the Willet distillery operations. Other Kulsveen family members, including Even’s daughter Janelle and Britt’s siblings, are also involved in the company. Together, they continue the hands-on, family-run approach that has defined Willet for over two centuries.
Willet Whiskey Brands
Under the stewardship of the Kulsveen family, Willet has greatly expanded their whiskey offerings. Here is an overview of the core Willet whiskey brands currently produced:
Willet Rye | Willet’s flagship rye whiskey, aged 4-5 years. Often bottled as single barrel offerings. |
Willet Pot Still Reserve | A bourbon whiskey aged 5-6 years. |
Old Bardstown Estate Bottled | Willet’s premium bourbon line, aged for 7-11 years. |
Johnny Drum | A more affordable straight bourbon brand owned by Willet. |
Noah’s Mill | Willet’s small batch bourbon, aged 15 years. |
Rowan’s Creek | Small batch bourbon featuring limestone water. |
In addition to their core brands, Willet continues to produces special and limited edition whiskies periodically. Their focus remains on bottling high-quality whiskies in small batches using traditional techniques.
Willet Distillery
The heart of Willet’s operation is its distillery located in Bardstown, Kentucky. The historic distillery was originally built in the late 1930s and features Spanish Mission-style architecture.
When Even Kulsveen purchased the property, the distillery was in disrepair after sitting idle for decades. After an extensive renovation and restoration, the distillery reopened in 2012 and began producing new whiskey using the original copper pot stills.
The distillery is equipped with:
- 3 copper pot stills with capacities of 600, 1,000, and 1,500 gallons
- 18 new cypress fermenters
- Warehouse space for over 20,000 barrels
- Bottling facilities
The distillery has capacity to mash over 60,000 bushels of grain per year. All grains used are sourced from local Kentucky farmers.
The copper pot stills allow Willet to use a traditional low and slow distillation that imparts a more complex flavor. The on-site warehouses then enable the whiskies to mature gracefully under the intense Kentucky heat.
Willet Family Tradition
One key to the Willet brand’s longevity and recent success is the family tradition that surrounds it. As a family-owned and operated business for over 200 years, Willet represents a personal commitment to quality and service.
Britt Kulsveen discusses how his family’s Norwegian roots influence their bourbon:
“We are stubborn and tenacious people. We don’t take no for an answer. We are going to make bourbon our way and we’ll continue following in our family’s footsteps.”
This dedication has allowed the brand to survive ups and downs over two centuries. The Kulsveen family has carried forward the tradition today, leveraging heritage while innovating.
The family has extensive experience in liquor distribution and hospitality via their company Kulsveen International. This expertise complements the hands-on distilling operations at Willet.
The brand also has ambassadors across the country to represent the family business and its values at tastings and events. Family and community remain integral to the Willet way of doing business.
Willet Family Philanthropy
The Kulsveen family has dedicated significant resources to giving back to the local community in Kentucky. This includes the Even Kulsveen Legacy Scholarship.
The scholarship provides full tuition, room, and board for employees or their children to attend school at the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. Since 2012, the scholarship has supported over 40 students pursuing higher education.
The family also donates whiskey and conducts charitable auctions to support causes like:
- Wounded Warrior Project
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Giving back to the community and those in need reflects the family’s values and connection to their Kentucky home. It’s a natural extension of the Willet legacy.
Future Outlook for Willet
The future looks bright for Willet under the Kulsveen family’s leadership. As consumer interest in high-end, craft whiskies continues to grow, Willet is well-positioned with its focus on small batch and single barrel offerings.
The brand has invested significantly in expanding its distilling capabilities and warehouse capacity. This will allow Willet to increase production without compromising quality.
Willet also continues innovating, even within the realm of traditional whiskey. Special finishes like rum barrel aging allow Willet to stand apart. At the same time, limited editions pay homage to their long history.
With Britt Kulsveen as the heir apparent and a new generation involved, the family ownership at Willet seems stable. Their passion for whiskey and hands-on approach position Willet to carry on the family legacy for years to come.
Conclusion
In summary, Willet remains a family-owned whiskey brand after over 200 years. While the brand traded hands several times in the 20th century, it is now owned by Even Kulsveen and his family.
Their purchase of the brand in the 1990s saved Willet from obscurity. Under their ownership, Willet has rebuilt the distillery, expanded their whiskey portfolio, and reconnected with the brand’s roots.
Willet continues to produce high-quality, small batch rye and bourbon whiskies in Bardstown, Kentucky. The Kulsveen family upholds the tradition of family ownership with a hands-on, small business approach. Their dedication to philanthropy and community also reflects the Willet legacy.
With this strong family leadership and commitment to quality, the future looks bright for Willet to continue its renaissance and stand the test of time. The story of Willet is one of resilience and reinvention while remaining true to heritage.