Willett Distillery is a storied bourbon institution rooted in Bardstown, Kentucky, with a family legacy stretching back to the years following the Civil War. John David Willett served as a Master Distiller and part owner of a Kentucky distillery in the 1800s, and his descendants kept that tradition alive for generations. The Willett Distilling Company was formally established in 1936, cementing the family's commitment to Kentucky bourbon craftsmanship. Over the decades, Willett built a portfolio of respected brands that have become benchmarks in American whiskey. Old Bardstown Bourbon was launched in the 1940s, followed by Johnny Drum Bourbon in the 1960s — a woodsy, spicy expression — as well as Rowan's Creek, named after a rivulet running through the property. The distillery also produces a celebrated Wheated Bourbon. For much of its modern history, Willett operated as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD), sourcing and aging barrels rather than distilling its own spirit, until it resumed distillation in 2012. Today, Willett is widely regarded as a blueprint for how independent distillers can thrive in a competitive market. Its reputation for high-quality, small-batch bourbon and its deep family heritage make it one of the most respected names on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.