Rowan’s Creek Bourbon Review

By Jake Emen

Rating: B+

Rowan's Creek

Rowan’s Creek Bourbon

Rowan’s Creek is one of several offerings in the Willett Distilling Company’s (Kentucky Bourbon Distillers’) lineup of Small Batch Boutique Bourbons. It’s named for, well, Rowan’s Creek, the watercourse which runs through the distillery grounds. The creek was in turn was named for John Rowan, a 19th century Kentucky statesman and politician whose family lived in Bardstown. The home sung about in “My Old Kentucky Home” was John Rowan’s. This is a bourbon which is Kentucky through and through.

Rowan’s Creek is, in fact, the best seller in the entire Willett family, which touts over a dozen products spread across several different series. So, does its taste and quality live up to those sales figures, and its Kentucky heritage?

The Bourbon
On the bottle, a classic wine bottle in shape, you’ll find what looks to be a handwritten label, with a swerving line denoting a map of the creek itself. Rowan’s Creek is aged for 12 years, and is bottled at 100.1 proof, 50.05% ABV. You have to love that extra .1 in there, right?

Rowan’s is a deep, dark amber in the glass, and offers a strong spice on the nose, with a minty, herbal scent. I hate to say it, because it’s not meant derogatorily, but the nose calls to mind Listerine, between the herbal-mint and the tinge of alcohol.

On the palate, you’ll find a velvety bourbon which has the caramel sweetness you’d expect after 12 years in the barrel. There’s also a touch of pepper in there, and oak. The finish is long and starts sharp before mellowing and extending to a dry, spicy and woody finish with a bit of lemon which stays with you between sips. Add ice, and notice hints of molasses and chocolate on the palate with a quieter finish and less spice all around.

Rowan’s Creek makes for a fine sipping bourbon, even if it doesn’t quite match the lofty standards of older brother Noah’s Mill, which is stronger, and aged for several more years. It’s certainly smooth, but not quite as refined.

The Price
I’ve seen Rowan’s Creek for as little as $33 for a 750 ml bottle, a steal. More typically it’s found for about $40, and is widely available around the country and online.

Awards
Rowan’s Creek has hauled in many a medal over the years, including gold medals at the 2005, 2011 and 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

15 comments

  1. This is one of my favorites. Granted, I am new to the bourbon game, but this one is almost a perfect blend of sweet and spice. I am loving it for now!

  2. This is by far my go-to bourbon on any night. I have some ‘epic’ bottles saved for special occasions, sure, but Rowan’s is at that price point which makes this bourbon something special. One cannot find Elmer T Lee bourbon anywhere, but it’s just ~$35 a bottle… price doesn’t make a bourbon epic or special… the stuff in the glass does! Rowan’s is skipping under the radar, to my great enjoyment. I cannot find this in Virginia to save my life or D.C. I have a contact that makes trips to the south where this fantastic bourbon lies in wait. I hope to keep this guy a secret for many more years.

  3. I have been saving a bottle of this since I purchased it in TX in 2012. It’s #11/105.

  4. I drink Weller or buffalo trace as my daily. Rowan’s Creek was a given to me as a gift and I have to say, a very GOOD gift. I was skeptical but you need to try this one! Very smooth with lots of flavors. Trust me, you won’t regret it!!

  5. I recently read another review that rated this bourbon an 87 out of 100 then went on to criticize it as “young tasting” & as having an excess of alcohol bite (sounds to me like he was drinking Willett 2YO & thought it was this). Granted, I am mostly a cask strength drinker but I find this bourbon to be EXCELLENT, very accommodating & I don’t notice any harshness at all such as I get with ECBS for instance.

  6. It got me bleedin’ fucking smashed! I just chug from the bottle. Tasty as all fuck too! Wish I could just stay shitfaced on RC all the time! Buy yourself a bottle and get totally fucked up senseless! Don’t drive, though.

    • So then, you say’n you like it? Me too, I’m not one for the f’n hyperbole {#%$$#%$%&%#@^%*&$# :). ‘caue it stands on its own without it. I’ve read a few reviews that refuse to give it justice, but like you I find it tasty and I even prefer it to ti’s sibling bourbon, Noah’s Mill

    • I’m kinda new to bourbon (not a total tyro!) but I have to say Rowan’s Creek has surprised me. A customer bought me a bottle today as a thank you. I am really impressed by this bourbon. Seems to hit all the right notes for me. I have a cold stone which I used, splash of water, very tasty! Next I’ll try it on the rocks. I’m going to have a flight of my current bourbons, on my next day off. I think RC will still be in the top 3

  7. Mike Hunt (obviously not your real name-say it 5x times fast)..your command of the english language leaves sonthing to be desired !

  8. I came upon a bottle of Kentucky straight bourbon labeled “Morrisonville Centennial 1872-1972”
    The bottle is full and the seal has not been broken but it is somewhat damaged the numbers 44869890 are visible on the seal. Does this whiskey have any value?

  9. I drink Scotch, mostly Islay and Speyside varieties. Always hated bourbon… until this one. Really great.

  10. Hello Fellow Bourbon Enthusiasts, my two go to Bourbons are usually EH Taylor (has become hard to find and costly) and Eagle Rare. EH Taylor is perhaps my personal favorite. A cashier at local Publix liquor store recommended Rownan’s reporting she received 4 Bottles and 2 left after a day. I found it quite pleasing. A bit harsh on front but by know means after. An excellent buy and likely will be difficult to find once the taste is out.

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