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Willett Distillery

Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review

Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review

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I know what you are thinking: “A “value” bourbon from Willett? How can that be? Aren’t they the ones whose bourbons go for hundred or even thousands of dollars! Well, yes and no. You see, Willett is also known as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd, and they produce many brands other than those bottled under the Willett label. Those brands include: Rowan’s Creek, Pure Kentucky, Noah’s Mill, Johnny Drum, Kentucky Village and the Old Bardstown line, which includes, the Bottled In Bond, the Estate Bottled and the 90 proof version.

Rowan's Creek Bourbon Review (By Willett)

Rowan’s Creek Bourbon Review

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There isn’t much information out there about Rowan’s Creek Bourbon. According to the label, the bourbon takes its name from Rowan’s Creek, which runs through Willett Distillery. In reality, the creek is down the hill from the distillery, but we’re all friends here, so that’s close enough.😊 It seems that at one time in the not too distant past Rowan’s Creek Bourbon bore a 12 year age statement; but alas, those days are gone.

The origins of this bourbon and its mash bill(s) are also a mystery, although that mystery has been partially solved. Originally, Rowan’s Creek was made from sourced bourbon, as were all of Willett’s bourbons. The label now does state that it is distilled, aged and bottled by Willett Distillery, so the origin is no longer a mystery. The bottle I am reviewing however only says that it was “Bottled by Rowan’s Creek Distilling” (a Willett dba), so whether it was distilled all, or in part, or not at all, at Willett is unknown.

Noah's Mill Bourbon Review

Noah’s Mill Bourbon Review

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Willett Distillery is perhaps best known for its highly sought after Willett Family Estate whiskeys, but there are many, many more brands also produced at this distillery. In fact, the Willett Family Estate is just a small percentage of the whiskey produced by Willett. One of these other brands is Noah’s Mill Bourbon.

There is not much information out there about Noah’s Mill, other than that it once bore a 15 year old age statement, as recently as the early 2010’s. It now may or may not be a blend of bourbons aged anywhere from 4-20 years and both wheated and rye bourbon recipes. That is purely conjecture, but info found all over the web.