Willett Bourbon Deep Dive: Rowan’s Creek, Johnny Drum & Noah’s Mill
Willett Bourbon Private Labels
Few names in modern bourbon generate as much conversation, debate, and borderline obsession as Willett Distillery. Based in Bardstown, Kentucky, Willett has become synonymous with bold flavors, higher proofs, and non-age-stated bourbons that punch well above their weight.
In this episode of Tortured Bourbon, we continue our Willett series by pouring three of the most talked-about labels in their lineup:
Rowan’s Creek
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Noah’s Mill
All three share Kentucky roots, similar mash bills, and a reputation for inconsistency across batches — and that’s exactly why bourbon fans can’t stop talking about them.
Rowan’s Creek Bourbon (2017 Release)
Proof: 100.1
MSRP: ~$46
Age Statement: None
Mash Bill Breakdown
Rowan’s Creek uses a blended mash bill approach, combining low-rye and high-rye bourbons:
65% Low-Rye Bourbon:
72% Corn
13% Rye
15% Malted Barley
35% High-Rye Bourbon:
52% Corn
38% Rye
10% Malted Barley
Tasting Notes
Nose: Orange peel, fresh-cut oak, cherries, caramel, vanilla, mint, cinnamon, rye grassiness, black licorice, light florals
Palate: Velvety caramel, cherry, nutmeg, clove, maple syrup, pepper, almond, lemon, apricot, dried fruit, hints of pine
Finish: Long, warm, and dry with peppermint, oak tannins, vanilla, sweet spice, and char
Rowan’s Creek often comes across as the most balanced and approachable of the three — classic Kentucky bourbon with enough spice to keep things interesting.
Johnny Drum Private Stock Bourbon
Proof: 101
MSRP: ~$70
Age Statement: None
Mash Bill
72% Corn
13% Rye
15% Malted Barley
Tasting Notes
Nose: Rich caramel, vanilla bean, seasoned oak, cinnamon, orange peel, lemon zest, red fruit
Palate: Warm brown sugar, toasted peanuts, baking spices, dark cherry, plum, cranberry, milk chocolate, firm oak, oily mouthfeel
Finish: Long and smooth with lingering pepper, cinnamon, toasted oak, honeyed sweetness, citrus, and tobacco leaf
Johnny Drum leans old-school — darker, richer, and nostalgic, with a profile that longtime bourbon drinkers tend to gravitate toward.
Noah’s Mill Bourbon (2023 Release)
Proof: 114.3
MSRP: ~$70
Age Statement: None
Mash Bill
72% Corn
13% Rye
15% Malted Barley
Tasting Notes
Nose: Dark caramel, oak, vanilla, molasses, brown sugar, fennel, cardamom, florals, dried fruit, subtle nuttiness
Palate: Thick and viscous with barrel-aged maple syrup, molasses, prunes, red grapes, tobacco, cigar box, graham cracker, black tea, licorice, cinnamon
Finish: Long and spicy — lingering oak, burnt caramel, clove, cinnamon, bitter chocolate, and grape skins
Noah’s Mill is the heavyweight of the lineup. High proof, barrel-forward, and unapologetically intense — a pour that demands time and attention.
Final Thoughts: Three Bourbons, One Willett DNA
Rowan’s Creek, Johnny Drum, and Noah’s Mill share similar mash bills and production philosophy, yet each delivers a distinctly different experience. That contrast is exactly why Willett continues to fascinate bourbon drinkers.
From approachable balance to rich nostalgia to high-proof intensity, this trio shows just how much variation can exist within a single distillery’s portfolio.
So which one earns a second pour? Which one surprises? And which one lands on top in the Tortured Bourbon rating system?
Pour a glass and watch the episode to find out.
