Well this used to have an age statement edition which no longer exists. NAS is becoming more prevalent as we all sadly know. This review then is for the current version. Poured neat, cinnamon spice , caramel, wood and alcohol fumes. Noses hotter than the 100.1 proof. Does settle a bit as it sits. Palate continues the heat with charred cinnamon and wood with a funky malty note that I believe BDanner has brought up before. Its much better than the Pure Kentucky XO I had as the cinnamon is held in check. Adding water really opens it up and is a marked improvement. This spicy, malty, charred funky flavor seems(to me) to be the Willet signature. Its very different from other distillers and is growing on me. Finish is long with the spicy cinnamon, char and malty notes along with wood barrel that is less dry than most. Overall its pretty hot for proof but brings unique flavors in fairly good balance. I think this will be a like it or hate it proposition for most. Im getting used to it now and actually believe the Clyde May Straight Bourbon is sourced here. For me this bourbon hits its sweet spot at lower proof so I will most likely pass on the Noah's Mill Ive been considering and just get the Clyde May as Im 90% sure its from Willet. As far as Rowan's Creek its a solid choice if you enjoy the profile........81/100....good spicy flavorful bourbon with a different take than the usual vanilla/caramel entries
38.0
USD
per
Bottle
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
Yeah sadly Willett have been pumping out sub standard stock in the last year or so. I gave my bottle of Noah's Mill away yesterday I was sooo disappointed it wasn't anything like it tasted the two times before. Johnny Drum was the same and Rowans creek likewiae as you found. Unless it's small release/ one off run sourced stuff that everyone raves about it's a hard pass from me on the sourced bourbon front.
I believe I referred to it as “musty orange”. I’ve gotten it in some WT products and some Heaven Hill, but never as strong as it was on the Johnny Drum Private Select. Definitely a Willett characteristic.