17 years. 137.6 proof. Single barrel #54. Shoppers Vineyard barrel selection. Block Letter label. Brown Wax seal. Willett Family Estate Bottled — the oldest and most historically significant sourced Willett expression in the current Wooden Cork Willett collection, and one of the rarest single barrel bourbons from any Kentucky distillery.

Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky has a history stretching back to 1936, but ceased active distillation for decades and operated as a sourcing and bottling operation before returning to production in 2012. The Family Estate Bottled program documented their sourced barrel inventory during this period — but barrel #54 is categorically different: this is Willett sourced , carrying the Block Letter label that distinguishes early bottling by Willett production from the broader Family Estate program.

The Block Letter designation refers to the specific label style used on early Willett releases — a collector marker distinguishing this generation of production from the standard Family Estate label format.

Specs

• Distillery: Sourced Barrel bottled by Willett Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel, Cask Strength
• Own-distilled: No — Sourced
• Age: 17 years old - Distilled on April 6, 1993
• Proof: 137.6 (68.8% ABV)
• Barrel: #54
• Label: Block Letter
• Seal: Brown Wax
• Size: 750ml

Browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork or all rare spirits.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Block Letter designation? The Block Letter label identifies early Willett Bottling. Combined with the Brown Wax seal, it marks the premium tier of own-distilled Willett releases.
• What is the Source of Barrel 54? Barrel 54 is widely believed to be a Bernheim wheated Barrel. 
• Is Willett 17 Year #54 Block Letter Brown Wax still available? Yes — a rare find at this age, proof, and label designation. It is one of the only Barrel 54 currently available in the market.