“See if I get away with it now that I ain’t as
Massive as I as soon as was, however I’m
Morphin’ into an immortal, comin’ by means of the portal;
You’re caught in a time warp from 2004 although”
– Eminem (rap God)
The bottle sits in a picket body. It doesn’t slide out simply. You go to the again and discover a latch. Launch it. A small piece of fabric retains the neck in place. You slide it backwards… fastidiously. Your fingers shaking, however centered. At this price ticket you don’t need any errors. The field is a pleasant contact. A particular improve from the 2001 Restricted Version Knob Creeks that dropped years again.
Your eyes catch the neck tag now. It reads:
“Honoring The 30th Anniversary of Knob Creek”
Did I learn that proper? 30 years? Eminem simply turned 50.
One other lyric from the track I quoted involves thoughts…
“I do know there was a time the place as soon as I, Was king of the underground”
Let me take you again half a decade in the past. Retailer picks of Knob Creek had been plentiful. Some would contact 14- and 15-year-old age statements. These retailer picks grew to become good litmus checks for the way a lot your retailer actually cared about what they had been selecting. Did the age they may declare on the skin of the bottle on the sticker matter greater than the liquid within the bottle?
For a lot of of my fellow Knob Creek followers the greatest retailer picks would are available in that 10, 11- and 12-year vary. Nonetheless individuals would go wild for something with these larger ages on it. It has been some time since I’ve seen picks with these larger ages on them.
It could make sense that the group at Beam (see my rhyming abilities?) has been planning excessive age acknowledged whiskey that may be bought at larger worth factors. Did I point out that these retailer picks that would attain an age of 15 years typically retailed for lower than $50? The enticing worth is why I typically point out Knob Creek as a straightforward alternative for these seeking to get into excessive proof whiskey, or to deliver a bottle to a celebration. The value on this one? $170, per the press launch.
Possibly I’ve been quoting the “Willett rule” of $10 per 12 months of maturation just a little an excessive amount of.
Time to open this up. I’ve at all times cherished the black wax. The tall tab is a good form design that means that you can grip and twist it as you discover the ribbon beneath. I pull on the ribbon and it rolls across the neck whereas the wax cleanly separates alongside it. Perfection.
Why the lengthy description of the bottle and it’s opening? A bottle like this needs to be an expertise on the worth you pay for it. I need to take pleasure in each single second of this $170 I’m about to savor.
The query is that if I’ll prefer it? Onto the evaluation.
Knob Creek Aged 18 Years – Assessment
100 proof (50% ABV). SRP of $170.
Colour: Someplace within the space between rust and bronze.
On the nostril: I pop the cork. Artificial. Darn. I at all times love an actual cork. The opening virtually at all times supplies a delicate whiff of what lies inside. Sniffing the bottle, I’m not hit with a lot. I pour and take a look at it.
Heat oak. The heat is a product of the light contact supplied by baking spices, gingerbread, and darkish fruit. A smooth plum is the backdrop of this portray. The gingerbread is freshly baked and serves as the proper complement.
Within the mouth: That first sip went down quick. The legs in my glass are lengthy. The end is lasting. What was that?! I like Knob Creek. I like the household of whiskey. This can be a new creature. The preliminary burn is a wonderful burst of taste that shortly dissipates on the similar fee you are taking it down. You come for one more sip.
What are these notes, Matt?!? Get on with it.
Brown sugar, spicy oak and a creamy taste come to thoughts. If Snickers had an oak spice in it; this may be it.
Massive swigs push the wooden spice to the roof of the mouth. It’s not minty, however the sensation resembles the outcomes. It awakens you. It causes you to sit down up in your chair. What did I simply absorb? It doesn’t have the pepper you discover in coriander. It doesn’t border the soapiness of cilantro. It isn’t parsley, however slightly a mix of tarragon and basil. It’s sensible, and one thing I’ve but to expertise in a Knob Creek that also presents that creamy peanut/vanilla/caramel combo that we’ve all come to know and love.
The end is as implausible because the entry. The alcohol brilliantly retains that woody sensation alive whereas letting the sweetness exist. Neither dominates because it fades, however slightly they mix into one nice observe that’s as refreshing as I’ve ever had in a whiskey.
The age lingers lengthy sufficient so that you can assume the place you had been 18 years in the past when this was poured into barrels in Clermont, Kentucky. It means that you can reminisce about the place you had been in 2004. Additionally it is right here that I understand it doesn’t change again into baking spices, as so many whiskies do. The observe stays the identical and it doesn’t dare you to take one other sip; principally as a result of it is aware of you’ll be again with none further motivation.
Conclusions:
This actually is a kind of whiskies that stands out for having a lot, but nothing stands out. Nothing overpowers. If something, the clear wooden spice that borders on mint is the memorable taste right here. You focus to interrupt it down and discover traditional Knob Creek flavors with one thing further. For longtime Knob Creek followers that will really feel slighted on the lack of mediocre 14 to 15-year-old retailer picks you will see virtually no flaws right here save for the value.
Willett launched an 8 12 months wheated bourbon for $249 this 12 months which Frank reviewed right here and he additionally reviewed a Heaven Hill 17 12 months previous that retails for $275 right here. One he cherished; one other not a lot. I’ll allow you to examine them, nevertheless it does make us marvel in regards to the pricing of bourbon and the place it’s going.
I’ve at all times contended that when whiskey is sensible, the value goes out the window. You’ll inform tales about it; you’ll inform tales about this one. That is solely the second time I’ve ever awarded this rating.
