- Willett Distillery has entered its first-ever long-term brand partnership with Binder’s Stash, marking a significant shift for the historically independent bourbon producer.
- The partnership grants Binder’s Stash access to Willett’s rare whiskey inventory, including experimental mashbills and aged barrels.
- Binder’s Stash will also benefit from Willett’s bottling operations and distribution network, helping elevate the emerging brand’s production quality and global reach.
Kentucky’s iconic, family-owned Willett Distillery has announced its first partnership with another whiskey company, Bardstown Kentucky’s Binder’s Stash.
Willett, founded in 1936, is one of the most sought-after Bourbon producers in the whiskey-collecting world, with its renowned purple-top Family Estate Bourbons ranking among the most coveted (and expensive, particularly in the secondary market) bottles available.
In the past, the distillery has engaged in a few one-off partnerships — Kiamichi Whiskey with the Kings of Leon, which now sells for upwards of $500 a bottle, and with Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey — but this is the first ongoing, long-term partnership with another bourbon brand. It appears to be a boon for both Willett fans and fans of Binder’s Stash, an emerging star among collectible whiskies.
The partnership gives Binder’s Stash exclusive access to Willett’s highly sought-after inventory, including experimental mashbills and limited barrels, advancing the brand founder Bill Binder’s mission to create deeply expressive, high-end whiskeys with unmatched provenance. The first releases will likely appear this summer, “with some pretty cool single-barrels,” says Binder. “They’ve agreed to sell us some of their really special aged whiskies, which I find kind of hard to believe myself.”
“We are excited to work with Bill and his incredibly bold brand, Binder’s Stash,” says Drew Kulsveen, Willett Distillery’s master distiller. “This partnership sets the stage for future opportunities and represents a bold step forward in expanding the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of aged whiskey. This limited relationship allows us to support a partner that shares our dedication to quality, innovation, and the future of American Whiskey.”
Food & Wine / Willett Distillery Ltd
The partnership started out of Kulsveen’s offer of advice early on when Binder was starting his brand. “Then later, we had an issue with our bottling — our wax was never great,” Binder says. “People who had our whiskies knew you had to pull out a really sharp knife to get the wax off. So Drew said, Come on down here, and I’ll show you how we do our wax. Then he said, Wait. I have an even better idea — why don’t we just handle this for you?”
As a result, Binder’s Stash will now benefit from Willett’s state-of-the-art bottling operations and extensive distribution platform across domestic and global markets. The first single-barrel Binder’s releases using aged Willett spirit will appear this summer.
“This one-of-a-kind partnership with Willett marks a turning point for Binder’s Stash,” says Bill Binder. “We’ve built our reputation by sourcing and releasing some of the most distinctive American whiskeys in the country, but Willett represents a different level: generational expertise, uncompromising quality, and a legacy that elevates everything it touches. Together, we’re setting a new bar for what American whiskey can be.”
What sets Willet’s Purple Tops apart?
Willett’s “purple tops” refer to its Family Estate Bottled Bourbon and Rye, ultra-limited single-barrel expressions that are bottled at barrel proof and individually selected for their character. These whiskeys are typically aged 8 to 15 years or more, and the signature purple wax seal has become a visual cue for serious collectors. Each bottle features handwritten details like barrel number, age, and proof — making them unique, unblended, and highly collectible.
In contrast, Willett also produces several house brands and blended whiskeys under names like Rowan’s Creek, Noah’s Mill, Johnny Drum, and Pure Kentucky. These are generally small-batch, more widely distributed bourbons at lower proof points, and often made from sourced whiskey or blended with Willett-distilled stock. While still respected, these are positioned for broader access — the purple tops are the crown jewels.
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