Willett’s Kiamichi whiskey is a premium Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced by the Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. The distillery was founded in the 1930s by the Willett family and has become known for its hand-crafted small batch and single barrel bourbon whiskeys.
Kiamichi is a limited edition whiskey that was first released in 2022. As a small batch bourbon, it is bottled at cask strength without filtering or cutting with water. This allows the whiskey to showcase the distinctive flavors imparted by the unique mashbill and barrel aging process. Let’s take a closer look at Kiamichi and examine how much this exclusive bourbon costs.
About Willett’s Kiamichi Whiskey
Willett’s Kiamichi is named after the Kiamichi River which flows through Oklahoma and is near where the Willett family originally settled before moving to Kentucky. According to the distillery, this whiskey is meant to honor the family’s ancestry.
Kiamichi is distilled from a mash of 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley. It is aged for around 6 years in charred American oak barrels. As a cask-strength whiskey, Kiamichi is bottled at 119.8 proof (59.9% ABV). Each batch consists of just 150 bottles, making this a highly limited release.
Flavor Profile
Reviews praise Kiamichi for its rich and intense flavors. On the nose, it offers aromas of caramel, toasted oak, dried fruits, and baking spices. On the palate, it delivers bold notes of vanilla, butterscotch, cinnamon, and rye spice. The finish is long and warm with lingering sweetness.
Critics describe Kiamichi as complex yet approachable. The higher proof accentuates the flavors without making it overpowering. It received extremely positive reviews when it debuted in 2022.
Availability and Pricing
As a small batch bourbon with very low production volume, Kiamichi is not widely available. It can only be found at select liquor stores in certain markets. The distillery itself only offers it for sale periodically throughout the year.
This scarcity means the whiskey sells at a premium price point. Let’s examine how much a bottle costs from different sources:
Direct from the Distillery
When it is in stock, Willett sells Kiamichi direct to consumer through their distillery for around $150 per 750ml bottle. Keep in mind that supplies are very limited even when purchasing directly.
Online Liquor Stores
Various online whiskey retailers offer Kiamichi when they have allocation, typically charging $200 or more per bottle:
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| Caskers | $229 |
| ReserveBar | $249 |
| Shopper’s Vineyard | $199 |
Secondary Market
Given the hype and scarcity, Kiamichi sells for even higher prices on secondary resale markets:
| Platform | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Wine-Searcher | $400-500 |
| Drizly | $350 |
| Vinovest | $575 |
These marketplaces allow buyers and sellers to set their own pricing based on demand. As an allocated, cask strength bourbon, Kiamichi attracts collectors willing to pay well over retail value.
Is Kiamichi Worth the Price?
For hardcore bourbon enthusiasts, Kiamichi may justify its hefty price tag given the positive reviews, limited quantity, and cask strength bottling. But other consumers will likely find better values among more readily available bourbon labels.
Here are some key considerations on Kiamichi’s worth:
Quality and Uniqueness
There is no doubt that Kiamichi is a high quality, well-aged bourbon. It offers robust flavor along with the smooth drinkability expected from Willett. As a limited single batch, it is also unique and not replicated each release. For some collectors, this pedigree and distinction is worth the price.
Brand Prestige
Willett has become one of the most respected names in bourbon. Their limited bottlings like Kiamichi are highly coveted. For those seeking ultra-premium, hard-to-find bourbons, the Willett name carries strong cachet that boosts desirability.
Availability and Convenience
The effort required to obtain Kiamichi, along with the small supply, means most whiskey drinkers will never get to try it. Having to hunt down a bottle or pay secondary market prices reduces the value proposition. Plenty of excellent, affordable bourbons are readily available in comparison.
Taste Preferences
Flavors tend to intensify at cask strength. Some enjoy this intensity, while others may find it overpowering. At around $150 MSRP, Kiamichi sits in a premium price tier, but not quite a luxury level. The taste itself may or may not justify the cost depending on individual preferences.
How Does Kiamichi Compare to Other Bourbons?
To determine if Kiamichi represents a good value, it helps to compare it to other top-shelf bourbon brands:
Pappy Van Winkle
Pappy Van Winkle is the gold standard of bourbon. But with virtually zero supply at retail, consumers must pay obscene secondary market prices exceeding $1,000 or more per bottle. Next to Pappy, Kiamichi is a downright bargain.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
For cask strength bourbon, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof provides huge flavor at around $60 MSRP. It’s a far better value than Kiamichi, albeit without the prestige and collectability.
Blanton’s
A popular single barrel bourbon, Blanton’s costs $65-80 per bottle depending on the market. For a comparable price to Kiamichi, Blanton’s is easier to obtain and offers great taste. But it lacks Kiamichi’s small batch uniqueness.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
Also a limited small batch, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon costs $150-200 per year. Like Kiamichi, it offers exclusivity and acclaimed flavor. But its annual release makes it less elusive overall.
Conclusion
Willett’s Kiamichi is an exceptional bourbon based on taste and presentation. But with an MSRP of $150-200 and extremely limited quantities, the price tag is hard to justify for casual whiskey aficionados. For die-hard Willett fans or those with deep pockets, it represents a rare opportunity to try a unique and well-aged cask-strength bourbon. Most consumers, however, will find much better values among comparable yet more readily available bourbons.
