Noah's Mill Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky

There’s a certain charm to Noah’s Mill, a bourbon that doesn’t scream for attention but earns its place in any enthusiast’s collection with quiet confidence. Produced by Willett Distillery, a name revered among those who truly know their whiskey, this high-proof expression carries the weight of tradition and the richness of well-crafted Kentucky bourbon. Once a sourced whiskey with a coveted 15-year age statement, Noah’s Mill has since become a fully Willett-made product, a transition that has shifted its profile but not its reputation. With its deep caramel hue and bold 114.3 proof, this is a whiskey that leans into its intensity, delivering a sip that is robust, warming, and undeniably satisfying.

Product Details

• Distillery: Willett Distillery, Kentucky
• ABV: 57.15% (114.3 proof)
• Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 13% Rye, 15% Barley
• Cask: Aged in new charred oak
• Entry Proof: 125
• Non-Age Stated (NAS), but minimum of 4 years per TTB regulations
• Bottle Style: Distinctive greenish amber glass

Sensory Description

From the first pour, Noah’s Mill sets the stage with an expressive nose. The aroma is rich and layered, evoking roasted peanuts and dusty oak, with a sweetness reminiscent of caramelized sugar. There’s a touch of fruitiness—dried prunes and overripe banana—wrapped in a rickhouse mustiness that calls to mind old wooden beams and aging whiskey barrels. Letting it breathe softens the ethanol bite, allowing the more nuanced aromas to emerge.

On the palate, the whiskey carries a luxurious weight, coating the mouth with a velvety texture. Brown sugar and dark caramel lead the charge, followed by earthy tobacco and the deep, spiced essence of a cigar box. The nuttiness persists, mingling with charred oak and a faint salinity, like salted peanuts roasted over an open fire. A flicker of baking spice and burnt sugar add complexity, while the interplay of sweet and savory keeps each sip compelling.

The finish is long and assertive, with cinnamon heat and toasted wood giving way to a lingering warmth that spreads from the chest outward—the signature Kentucky hug. A final burst of burnt caramel and spice leaves a lasting impression, making each sip feel like the prelude to another.

Distiller’s Background

Willett Distillery has long been a name that serious whiskey drinkers respect, though it doesn’t always command the same mainstream recognition as some of its Kentucky counterparts. For years, Willett was known for sourcing some of the finest bourbon and rye on the market, building a reputation through its carefully curated single-barrel selections. Since resuming in-house distillation in 2012, the family-owned distillery has worked to match the exceptional quality of its sourced releases with its own production, and Noah’s Mill is a testament to that effort.

Unlike Willett’s Family Estate bottles, which proudly bear the Willett name and crest, Noah’s Mill is part of a collection of brands—including Rowan’s Creek, Johnny Drum, and Old Bardstown—that stand on their own. With its old-world label design and distinctive greenish amber bottle, it feels like something pulled from a Prohibition-era cabinet, offering a sense of nostalgia along with its bold and complex profile. While the days of 15-year Noah’s Mill are long past, the current in-house version retains its character, proving that a well-made bourbon doesn’t need a specific age statement to command respect.

Serving Suggestions

Noah’s Mill is a whiskey that benefits from a patient pour. Neat, it delivers its full intensity, rewarding those who take the time to let it open up in the glass. A few drops of water can help soften the edges and bring out more of its sweeter, fruitier notes. For those who enjoy a high-proof bourbon in a cocktail, it makes for an exceptional Old Fashioned, where its deep caramel and spice tones shine. Pair it with smoked meats, pecan pie, or even a good cigar to accentuate its rich, earthy qualities. Serve at room temperature, around 65–70°F, to experience its full complexity.

Noah’s Mill is not the bourbon you reach for when looking for something light or easygoing. It’s bold, full-bodied, and carries a certain rugged elegance—a whiskey that demands your attention and rewards those who take the time to appreciate its depth. Whether enjoyed as a slow sipper or in a well-crafted cocktail, it remains one of the most distinctive offerings in the Willett portfolio.