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Produced by Suntory's Jim Beam distillery, the Knob Creek brand was created in 1993 by Master Distiller Booker Noe as the organization's first small batch offering (today joined by Booker's, Baker's, and Basil Hayden's). Noe's design was to meet or exceed the quality standards defined by the Bottled-in-Bond act and create a fully flavored, pre-prohibition-style whiskey. The flagship Knob Creek 9 is bottled at 100 proof and barreled a minimum of nine years excepting a brief stint from 2016 to 2020 when Beam had to drop the age statement. The flagship is joined by a series of rye whiskies at various age statements, Single Barrel Select/Reserve, 12 and 18 year bourbon, and a flavored maple whiskey.
Our bottle today, Knob Creek Single Barrel Select is a distiller pick selected for Costco. The Single Barrel series bourbons get a bump up to 120 proof and have extended barrel information mentioned on the bottle. The Knob Creek Single Barrel Program gets wide participation from many retailers, and there is a good chance your local store has done a pick either in person or remotely.
🧪Proof: 120 Proof, 60% Alcohol by Volume
🎨Color: R4 - an orange light amber. I've always been a fan of Knob Creek bottles. They look great, feel substantial, and fit well in a cabinet or a case. Knob bottles also have a classy plastic/rubber seal around the top bearing the Knob Creek logo and establishment year.
🥔Mash Bill: The same as Jim Beam, Baker's, and Booker's - 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley - Pulled from Warehouse Z Floor 5 and Rick 75 - Barreled on 4/3/2015 and dumped on 7/15/2024 for a total age of 9.29 years or 3391 days. Char is a typical level four alligator. Knob Creek comes off the still at 130 proof and is barreled at 125 proof, so there will typically be some dilution from barrel to bottle depending on how much evaporation occurs. Sabretooth51 on X was able to confirm that Warehouse Z has seven floors, so this one is a wee bit higher on the stack. He also mentioned that Booker's 2024-02 'The Beam House Batch' contains 14% from this same warehouse and floor. I have seen reports of some of these bottles being "over oaked" and I would think that is more likely on the higher floors if you are choosing between two barrels, but floor five seems to be safe bet!
👃Nose: Old Wood, muted ethanol, some nuttiness
😜Palate: Thick and oily, a huge sweep of cinnamon broom from the get-go, aged leather, and salted peanuts.
💦Finish: Surprisingly long and hot, but not burning or peppery, like a bath. Wood predominant, some varnish at the end.
🏆 Overall: 6/10 - Very Good - While the flavors are not overly sophisticated, this bottle shines most in the overall mouthfeel. The beefy texture is flavor-packed and chews well while the finish is uniquely balanced, a campfire at the right distance, under control.
⚖️Rating Scale:
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume it by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws | Struggle to get through the bottle
4 | Serviceable | Mixing or ice recommended.
5 | Good | Drinkable Neat | An agreeable dram indeed.
6 | Very Good | Any flaws offset by interesting flavors | A cut above.
7 | Great | You find yourself reaching for this one often | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Serve to Impress Guests | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite | You guard this bottle jealously.
10 | Perfect | You didn't think anything could be this good | A clear champion.