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Rowan's Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon

Rowan's Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon

(0.75l, 50.5%)


7.8/10
Price:
$44.99
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A powerful and flavorful daily dram perfect over ice.

John Rowan settled in what is now called Bardstown, Kentucky in the late 1700s. He was a local statesman and a judge, and there is an actual Rowan’s Creek that still bears his name running through the distillery grounds — delivering limestone-filtered spring water perfect for Whiskey-making. Rowan’s Creek Bourbon is named accordingly. The Whiskey itself if another small-batch gem from the Willet Distilling Company division of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KDB).

Rowan’s Creek Bourbon is a small batch release and one of the most popular Whiskies in the KDB portfolio. The current releases are Non Age Statement, but previous versions were labeled at twelve years and — to our taste — this is not far from that. It has strong notes of maple both on the nose and on the tongue. When this is coupled with the natural granola notes, there is almost the sense of pancake with warm butter and syrup — and that is very pleasant indeed, having twice won the Gold Medal in San Fransisco. And since it’s bottled at a powerful 50.05% ABV, it will stand up to ice and cocktails made nice and makes for a perfect daily dram.

Smartass corner:
John Rowan’s Mansion near Bardstown is said to be the inspiration for the classic song “My Old Kentucky Home” composed by Stephen Foster in 1852.
  • Category
    Bourbon
  • Style
    Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Region
    Kentucky
  • Country
    United States
  • Alcohol
    50.5%
  • Distillery
    Willett Distillery
  • Age
    NAS

Flavor Spiral™

About The Flavor Spiral

Close
mint
maple
vanilla
caramel
peach
roasted
pecan
clove
spicy
What does Rowan's Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon taste like?

The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Rowan's Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.

We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson
Dog Dogson's
Smartass
Corner
Whisky or Whiskey? The spelling differs geographically. In Scotland, Japan, and some other parts of the world, distilleries usually spell it Whisky; in Ireland and the USA, they spell it Whiskey.

Tasting Notes
Appearance / Color
Golden amber.

Nose / Aroma / Smell
Peaches, fresh-cut wood, and vanilla. 

Flavor / Taste / Palate
Maple, butter-toffee, roasted grains, and pecan with a dash of clove and mint. 

Finish
Nicely long with more mint and toffee.

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Ratings & Reviews
Member Reviews and Ratings of Rowan's Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon
Chance
Chance,
One of my favorites in this price range. Will always have a bottle at the house!
 
William
William,
Great everyday drink!
 
Alex
Alex,
A solid bourbon. I love mint, and the subtle flavor of it mixed with vanilla and caramel was really nice
 
Darrin
Darrin,
Like it
 
Jason
Jason,
Sweet and fruity with a bit of spice at the end. Wasn’t my favorite but still a great whiskey
 
Robert
Robert,
Great value.
 
David
David,
Great bottle - nice rich flavor.
 
Jared
Jared,
Notes of peach stand out to me. Very smooth and buttery feel. A great bourbon for the price.
 
Dan
Dan,
Better than expected, great value for the price.
 
Steve
Steve,
Like this and found it a little more complex than the reviews. Quick hit upon first sip--strong hot cinnamon flavor. Everyone got a Life- Saver butter rum taste throughout. Spicier than anticipated in a good way. Short finish. A bourbon to be sampled for sure.
 
Jared
Jared,
Fantastic bourbon! A step up from Four Roses Single Barrel in my opinion. It has a longer finish that hits the spot for me.
 
Ryan
Ryan,
Still a good pour, but was better several years back.
 
Adrian
Adrian,
I really enjoyed this bourbon. My wife could smell the fruit (peaches), while I could smell the wood. I have an affinity for woody smells and tastes, so I really enjoyed the roasted grains long finish! Such an easy sipper!
 
Brian
Brian,
Love this bourbon similar spice to a lighter rye
 
Collin
Collin,
Delicious and smooth
 
Rick
Rick,
Really easy drinking. I like it better than the higher-end Noah's Mill. Nice and smooth but with some complexity
 
Brian
Brian,
Not my favorite. Complex flavor profile but not a smooth drink when straight compared to other high Proof whiskeys I enjoy
 
Nathan
Nathan,
I found this one to be a smooth and easy drink at 100 proof.
 
NATHANIEL
NATHANIEL,
Good. A flavor wasn’t my favorite, but seemed well done.
 
John
John,
Great flavors and incredibly smooth. Love the notes of peach, pecan, and caramel!
 
Thomas
Thomas,
One of the best bourbons I've had. A little pricey but definitely a casual treat.
 
John
John,
Smooth drinking, with honey and spice notes
 
Tyler
Tyler,
Really enjoyed this pour. Good long finish great over a large cube.
 
Chris
Chris,
Very smooth. Excellent taste
 
William
William,
Nice taste and long finish
 
Ross
Ross,
Always reminds me of a Dewars candy from Bakersfield CA for some reason. Nutty nougat is the flavors I catch when drinking this.
 
Cameron
Cameron,
real smooth and easy drinking
 
Ron
Ron,
Very nutty, with some cherry notes, great over ice
 
Brian
Brian,
A little too sweet for my taste.
 
Anthony
Anthony,
Truly one of my favorite bourbons out there. Both my wife and I liked it so much I came back and got two more bottles. The vanilla in the profile really comes through and the warm velvety finish is a nice touch. For the price I would argue this is the best bang for the buck in the bourbon world. This is the reason Bardstown is the bourbon capital of the world.
 
Trip
Trip,
Love it!
 
Bert
Bert,
Along with Noah Mills, one of my favorites for everyday drink
 
Brendan
Brendan,
Even though the flaviar profile doesn't list it, I find a lot of cinnamon on the palate, as well as a a malty playdoh-like flavor. If you're considering this bottle, I'd recommend Noah's Mill instead (both Willett family).
 
guest
guest,
Probably one of the best bourbons for just straight sipping
 
Thomas
Thomas,
Interesting flavor, but not smooth and balanced profile. I've tried it both neat and on ice over several different occasions and was never impressed with this whiskey. Many other whiskeys i would grab at this price before purchasing this one again.
 
Jonathan
Jonathan,
Creamy peanuts and cinnamon with dried pears and toffee behind the initial tasting. Finish is lingering with roasted peanuts and vanilla with a slow-medium tail. Soon after the end of the American Revolutionary War, John Rowan's parents moved from Pennsylvania to the western frontier in Kentucky County. At the time, Kentucky was still considered to be part of Virginia, and was overseen by a military governor named John J. Bowman.

Rowan was raised in Bardstown, and eventually studied law under Kentucky Attorney General George Nicolas. At the age of 26, Rowan was elected to the state's constitutional convention, and eventually served in the Kentucky State Legislature and United States Senate. In his honor, a small limestone-rich creek that eventually feeds into the Kentucky River was named Rowan's Creek.

Rowan's Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the slightly-younger brother of Noah's Mill Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. Much like Noah's Mill, Rowan's Creek is made by marrying together small batches of bourbon that are maturing in charred, American oak casks. The bourbons each contain unique mash bills, which provides Rowan's Creek with a distinctly layered flavor profile. After the bourbons have matured for approximately twelve years, they are brought to just over 100 proof with water from Rowan's Creek, and bottled by hand (each bottle is adorned with a label that includes a handwritten batch number).
 
James
James,
Caramel, vanilla, surprised it’s 100 proof. Easy drinking, but moderately complex. I’ll buy again. Want to try in a cocktail but enjoyed neat.
 
George
George,
Smooth for a 90 proof—would never have pegged it for 100. Caramel and hazelnut dominate, but unremarkable finish compared to others at this pricepoint.
 
Chase
Chase,
The perfect bourbon. Try it.
 
Justin
Justin,
Got this for my Grandad.. He’s a 91 year old, Oklahoma wildcatter who used to bootleg into the dry counties during the 30s and 40s. His favorite bourbon, W.L. Wellers 12 Year Aged. He’s pretty picky. I asked him what he thought and he said, “it was really good”, which if you knew my Grandad, that’s the equivalent of him singing the praise of this whiskey. Haven’t tried it myself but, if he likes it, I know I would.
 
Steven
Steven,
Smooth and a good flavor. A great find!
 
Mark
Mark,
Very smooth and a little sweet. Carmel and vanilla flavor...
 
Erik
Erik,
A little strong rye on the nose for a bourbon, but less aggressive in the flavor profile. Smooth and tasty, but I disagree with other reviewers that i's similar to 4 Roses or Buffalo Trace.
 
Tim
Tim,
Very similar to buffalo and four roses single. Great flavor
 
Deven
Deven,
Not my type but it’s good quality
 
Robert
Robert,
Lingering mint
 
guest
guest,
Very smooth!
 
Erik
Erik,
This is my desert island bourbon.
 
Ken
Ken,
One of my go-to favorites.
 
Timothy
Timothy,
Aromatics: oak with burnt brown sugar overtones, peanut brittle, a form of mint, perhaps wintergreen or eucalyptus. . Taste: minimal heat for 50.1% with more lightly caramelized peanut brittle Finish: a little cinnamon spice with more softly sweet oak notes and Cracker Jack peanuts. This Bourbon from the Willet Family of fine juice is absolutely good. It will remain a bar staple for sure. Now I can’t wait to try Noah’s Mill!
 
Sam
Sam,
Love this bourbon and I am usually a scotch guy
 
Bret
Bret,
Loved this bourbon! Was recommended by a friend. After the Buffalo Trace line of about anything this comes in a very close second.
 
Brian
Brian,
This one grew on me. At first, I liked it but not so much so to call it a go to Bourbon but rather a nice one to have a glass now and then. We'll over the last couple of weeks I have learned a greater appreciation for it especially over ice. I'll definitely be getting another bottle.
 
Thomas
Thomas,
This is another fantastic whiskey by the Willett folks. It’s the “everyday whiskey”. Caramel, oak, spice, mint, a bit of bite, and a mouthy finish. A cube brings out a lot of fruit but I prefer it neat. Its got a lot of flavor, pretty unique, and could catch you off guard. Ignore those worthless “good, smooth” reviews.
 
Brian
Brian,
Only two glasses in, one neat and one over ice. Neat was a little rough for me. You start a little sweet then I was hit with the spice. It was a touch too strong for my taste. The finish had a respectable hang time. It smoothed out a bit over ice and opened up the flavors. I'm interested to see what another glass will bring.
 
Mary
Mary,
It has a little bite, but relatively smooth for a bourbon. Mint is prevalent. My new favorite.
 
Scott
Scott,
Very smooth. Unique flavor. Easy drinker.
 
Katie
Katie,
This bourbon was average. Tasted a little too much like moonshine for my liking. A little overpriced for the quality in my opinion.
 
Jernique
Jernique,
Very good! I like the caramel taste on my tongue and the lingering taste of the alcohol.
 
Matt
Matt,
Very smooth, even at 100 proof, definitely no water needed to bring out the flavors.
 
Scott
Scott,
Love it. Smooth with a bit of a cinnamon finish
 
Jimmy
Jimmy,
Outstanding in every way!
 
Josh
Josh,
Wish I could give it a 7.5. Took a half a bottle to warm up to, but the well-rounded sweet heat here is delicious.
 
Luke
Luke,
Nose: Cereal grains, cherries, and some sweetness Taste: Sweet, hint of maple, oaky, some rye spice though the middle, lingering pleasant oily aftertaste
 
MC
MC,
One of my absolute favorites
 
guest
guest,
Just good sweet bourbon
 
Matthew
Matthew,
Similar to Noah's Mill but not as smooth. Opens up over time but better with a bit of ice to take some of the rough away.
 
Vincent
Vincent,
Fantastic bourbon! Flavorful on the palate with hints of vanilla, caramel, and wood. Very smooth! Not a traditional brand, but well worth seeking out for your collection and casual drink. Best neat or on the rocks. Don’t mix this with other flavors; it stands extremely well on its own!
 
Burton
Burton,
Distinctive flavor profile that is nutty, woody, and vanilla. This rose to the top of the pile in a blind tasting for me. I always keep a bottle in the collection.
 
Jeff
Jeff,
Outstanding Solid and balanced Try this one
 
Thomas
Thomas,
Great all around bourbon. Lots of oaky flavor. Not overpowering.
 
Blake
Blake,
Spicy, sweet, strong!! Love this stuff.
 
Andrew
Andrew,
Really solid, sweet, light mouth coat afterward and a nice subtle burn on account of the proof. Solid offering from Willett—think a low(-er) proof version of Noah's Mill.
 
Billy
Billy,
Sweet nose..stays with you... good stuff
 
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