Can’t-Miss Unique Gems from Knob Creek
“Bottled at 120 proof, these 9-year-old casks are unbelievable values when measured towards their Bluegrass State friends.” — Andrew Whiteley, Okay&L Spirits Purchaser
Not one however two distinctive Okay&L Unique Casks have simply landed from Knob Creek, and followers of the enduring Kentucky distillery ought to take critical curiosity. Our long-time relationship with them permits us entry that few others within the trade have, and we’ve introduced in some true showstoppers over time. However due to surging demand available in the market, the distillery is beginning to maintain again a few of these shares, which means alternatives like this may occasionally very nicely develop into more and more uncommon. The 2 9-year-olds on provide in the present day boast distinctly completely different profiles, however they every provide an equally thrilling, cask-strength consuming expertise. Barrel #14479 is the brash and boisterous one, because it aged in a a lot hotter warehouse location. “Large and spicy,” in keeping with spirits purchaser Andrew Whiteley, “this specimen is certain to please” any avid Knob Creek aficionado. On the reverse finish of the spectrum, Barrel #14675 “is beautifully straightforward to drink and return to time and time once more for neat pours, rocks pours, and it’s acquired the stuffing to face as much as any cocktail recipe.” At beneath $60 every, these are two of the best buys in our bourbon stock. As the marketplace for stellar finds like these adjustments quickly, collectors and connoisseurs ought to make the most of each alternative that comes alongside.
Whiskey followers also needs to be looking out for our spectacular, best-in-market worth on the Knob Creek Rye Whiskey in 1.75L format. At a can’t-miss Insider’s deal of simply $39.99, it could actually develop into a daily staple in your bar for over 30% lower than you’ll discover it wherever else available in the market.
| Merchandise Identify | Retail | Hyperlink |
| Knob Creek “Single Barrel Choose” Okay&L Unique Barrel #14479 (Distilled 10/10/12, Warehouse I, Ground 6, Rick 68) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) | $59.99 | View |
| Knob Creek “Single Barrel Choose” Okay&L Unique Barrel #14675 (Distilled 10/10/12, Warehouse G, Ground 3, Rick 48) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) | $59.99 | View |
Andrew Whiteley | Okay&L Spirits Purchaser | Evaluation Date: June 02, 2022
Knob Creek routinely provides a number of the best consuming out of Kentucky at very reasonable costs. The only barrel program has at all times had a 9-year-old minimal age assertion, however people actually took discover once they began routinely bottling 13- to 15-year-old barrels. Whereas they’ve moved again to barrels within the 9-10 vary due to surging demand (and the creation of way more costly 12- and 15-year-old official releases), the consuming continues to be wonderful. It could be a mistake to miss these 9-year-old gems because of the comparatively youthful whiskey—9 years continues to be a mighty very long time in in the present day’s bourbon panorama. Bottled at 120 proof, these 9-year-old casks are unbelievable values when measured towards their Bluegrass State friends. Each of our present casks have been distilled on 10/10/12, however noticed significantly completely different growing old situations. This cask was aged in warehouse 1 on the sixth ground, a a lot hotter location than Barrel 14675’s third ground resting place. The result’s a bourbon with a number of barrel extraction. It’s large and spicy with candy maple tones on the nostril. The palate is a daring amalgam of succulent uncooked corn, brown sugar, maple, cinnamon bark, only a contact of contemporary minimize grass, and feels thick like syrup on the tongue. Cooked down vanilla on the end leaves a really nice aftertaste. At 60%, it’s large, however no monster hazmat-style bourbon. With an ice dice it drinks very straightforward with out dropping depth. If you happen to’ve ever loved a sip of any Knob Creek, this specimen is certain to please.
Andrew Whiteley | Okay&L Spirits Purchaser | Evaluation Date: June 10, 2022
Cool and simple going—this cask is Arthur Fonzarelli. Laid again, emanating chill, however not missing a fiery, tough-guy perspective when he must step up. Lovely copper in shade, it’s a hanging pour. Barrel #14675 was, like its sister barrel, distilled on 10/10/2012. It did, nevertheless, age within the middle of the rickhouse on the third ground, rick 48. It’s a a lot cooler profile than our different in inventory cask. It’s extra sandalwood than cinnamon, extra mint than grass, and naturally nonetheless tons of that candy corn and butterscotch/vanilla profile at a strong 60% ABV. There’s a freshly popped popcorn word, candy, buttery, and whereas not salty, it’s set off by a extra herbaceous tone within the whiskey—a cool spearmint. Tobacco leaf makes an look together with freshly minimize cedar. Maple and butterscotch sweeten the fragrant profile up a bit. With time within the glass, issues have a tendency in direction of extra spice. On the palate, it’s a wealthy, mouth-coating pour. Extra cinnamon and pepper warmth issues up, however there may be nonetheless an overarching mellow word that carries on by the end. This cask is beautifully straightforward to drink and return to time and time once more for neat pours, rocks pours, and it’s acquired the stuffing to face as much as any cocktail you wish to throw it in. Whereas only a few brief years in the past we have been spoiled for selection on as many Knob Creek casks as we may shake a stick at, nowadays we’re getting fewer and fewer barrels allotted to us as nationwide demand for these epic casks skyrockets. Whereas we don’t count on the faucet to get shut off utterly, we don’t know what number of extra of those we can bottle this yr.
Knob Creek Rye Whiskey (1.75L) (Elsewhere $60) ($39.99)
Whisky Advocate: “In contrast to the Knob Creek bourbons (that are 9 years outdated), theres no age assertion with this new rye, which tastes comparatively youthful. Its bracing, vibrant, and spicy. (The rye contribution is unmistakable.) Cinnamon spice and crisp mint dominate, with charcoal, botanicals, ginger, nutmeg, honeyed fruit, vanilla, and caramel. Warming spice end. Its dynamic persona ought to shine in cocktails, however from a sipping, consuming neat perspective, I want it was somewhat older like its siblings. (Summer season-2012)”
Wine Fanatic: “Search for a dry, distinctly oaky, toasty profile, with loads of deep, darkish toffee and cayenne winding into the spicy, warming end. Dilution pulls the flavors again to vanilla and buttered toast. Small batch. (KN)” (07/2016)
Okay&L Notes: An insane worth on the 1.75L bottles of Knob Creek Rye—there isn’t a higher time to top off on probably the greatest cocktailing Rye whiskeys within the retailer than on this one-time deal. Jim Beam’s entry into the super-premium Rye has actually made some waves. Whereas there isn’t a age assertion, this incorporates Rye as much as 9 years outdated. Voted “Greatest Rye” and brandishing double gold medals, the Knob Creek Rye has elevated Jim Beam’s profile within the burning scorching cocktail scene. Whereas this bottling shares the eminent Knob Creek title, the profile could be very completely different. Dropping the ultra-forward sweetness, you’re going to really feel a robust natural rye spice instead. Very strong with out being overly thick, you’ll discover this holds up properly in your cocktails due to the Knob Creek custom of bottling at 100 proof. A pleasant addition to the burgeoning Rye class.
