Rowans Creek bourbon gets its namesake from the creek that still runs through the distillery carrying the best limestone spring water there ever was for making good bourbon. The creek itself was originally named after Judge John Rowan, who in the late 1700s settled around
Bardstown and became a well-respected judge and statesmen.

Although the distilling equipment from the Judges days is also no longer around, the original Willett column still and the new Vendome pot still are now housed in the rebuilt distillery building and will soon be producing more Rowans Creek bourbon.