Knob Creek Single Barrel Store Pick Review
In-Depth Review
Knob Creek single barrels have become abundant unicorns over the last few years. While the rest of the bourbon industry struggles to keep up with demand Jim Beam somehow continues to consistently release 12-15 year bottles at incredibly affordable price points. Nowhere else in the bourbon world will you find 15 year bottles at around $50. And the best part? They are consistently great. At 120 proof and aged for so long, there is a quality here that is hard to match even at double the price.
Of course, the way Jim Beam can achieve such consistency is that they are one of the biggest distillers in the world. They make the world’s #1 bourbon and have even used the same mashbill for over 200 years! Think about it… They have been using the same recipe almost as long as we have been a nation.
The brand was purchased by Suntory in 2014 which, in turn, created a massive new global beverage empire that combined under one roof the whisky traditions of Japan and the United States. This has allowed both brands to experiment with unique methods and products. But one of the core products for Jim Beam remains the Knob Creek lineup.
And if you hadn’t gathered yet – Knob Creek is one of my personal favorites. Let’s see how this pick from Kenwood Liquors is.
Age: 13 Year
ABV: 60%
Cask: Virgin Charred Oak Casks
MSRP: Around $50
Distillery Name: Jim Beam
Review Date: 12/1/20
Store Pick: Kenwood Liquors
Color: Dark Amber Caramel
Nose: Spicy and hot. Lots of alcohol hits the nose first. Then comes the nuttiness. Peanut butter. And then the smells of a musty warehouse. Wood, leather, and tobacco all appear on the nose.
Palate: Imagine sucking on peanut shells dipped in caramel. Salty peanut brittle and kettle corn. As the whiskey sits on the tongue big, bold, cinnamon takes center stage. Like throwing a bunch of Red Hot candies into your mouth. Then as the heat dissipates there is the leather and tobacco flavors that really show the age of this whiskey. After swishing the whiskey around your mouth more sweetness comes through with coconut and banana softening the heat.
This barrel has been sitting in a Kentucky rickhouses for a long time and isn’t afraid to show it. Rich, deep flavors with an excellent thick mouthfeel that coats the mouth front to back. While it is 120 proof, it isn’t harsh at all. It needs no water added and instead provides a fantastic overall experience that makes you thirsty for more.
Finish: Long, luscious finish. This finish feels like it goes for days, with one sip blending into the next. Toffee, sugar, spice, and everything nice.
Final Thoughts: This is a fabulous whiskey. This is big, bold and rich. While the 120 proof would scare away a lot of folks, I would argue that this is best sipped neat to fully appreciate the deep flavors that 13 years in a barrel will give a whiskey. These Knob Creek picks are incredible values, but also fabulous whiskey. I’m not sure how many more of these Jim Beam will be able to release, but I hope they can keep this up indefinitely. This is the kind of whiskey we need in 2020. Delicious, powerful, affordable.
Score: 94
If I go to a liquor store and see one of these older Knob Creek picks on the shelf, I will always buy one.
Maybe two.
Sometimes even more.
