Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon is an utter classic small batch whiskey from Jim Beam, first created by Booker Noe and introduced in 1992. It was named after the creek which flows near where Abraham Lincoln grew up.
Quite spicy and sweet. Melted salty butter on granary toast, toasty oak and a touch of rye with caramel sweetness.
Peppy and full. Notes of candy floss and nut oil, a touch of spice and dark chocolate, a little spice and charred oak.
Long with a touch of dryness, nut oils and vanilla spice.
Great for sipping, has a bit of harshness but spices kick in and it goes down nicely.
I'm relatively new to Bourbon. Got a bottle of Jim Beam white label on sale and was surprised how much I liked it. Finished that off and thought I'd bump it up and try this Knob Creek straight bourbon. Hoo wah. I guess I'm not ready for this 100 proof fire starter. I had a hard time getting the flavors because the alcohol was so overpowering. I think I'll stick with 80 proof so I can actually savor the flavor.
This has been a standard in my whisk(e)y cabinet for well over a decade. Unfortunately, I purchased the new NAS version and it is dreadful. It no longer has the flavor profile and long finish. I miss the 9yo age statement Knob Creek.
I'm not a bourbon fan. I haven't tasted much more than 20 different bourbons. I must say, it beats the hell out of jack or beam. But what isn't..
I came back to try this again after finding out it won the 2015 World Spirit Awards Best Small Batch Bourbon 6-10 years in a blind tasting, beating a lot more expensive bourbons - to the surprise even of the judges. And it's good. Not blow your socks off good - not for me at least - but punches way above it's price band for sure. Rich, intense, surprising spice, I wouldn't normally add water to bourbon but I took the other reviewer's advice and a tiny drop does open it up massively, creating a lovely buttery mouth feel.
