Can it have already been 3 years? Really, not fairly: It was solely 2020 when Knob Creek’s 15 Yr Previous expression grew to become the oldest whiskey in its lineup, and now there’s a pure follow-up (additionally a restricted version), Knob Creek at a full 18 years of age, which is presumably bottled from barely completely different inventory. For these conserving rating at house, KC18 is absolutely twice the age of ordinary Knob Creek and celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the model’s introduction.
Let’s dip into the barrel and see how issues have panned out.
First up, some excellent news. Fears of this turning out to be a very woody, tannic whiskey are rapidly laid to relaxation when tucking in to the spirit. The nostril is filled with spice and shows loads of leather-based and barrel char, nevertheless it’s balanced by a wealthy vein of darkish, well-stewed fruit and chocolate syrup — the latter a few of the hallmarks of youthful Knob Creek. Right here in fact they’re ratcheted up even additional, kicking off with a palate that’s lush with cocoa powder and cherries, then showcasing notes of coconut and nougat. There’s a curious popcorn word that hits heavy on the end — not one thing you usually see lingering in a whiskey of this age, however that’s perhaps not a nasty factor, indicating that these well-aged barrels simply may need some life left in them.
Knob Creek 21 in 2024 or 2025? I’m listening.
100 proof.
A- / $170 / knobcreek.com
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