Best Knob Creek Bourbon: Discover Knob Creek’s Top Whiskey

Last Updated on: 15th April 2024, 03:20 pm

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and customer insights, I have reviewed and rated every Knob Creek release and determined which is best.

Written by: J Highland

Best Knob Creek Bourbon for Each Purpose and Taste

1. Knob Creek Smoked Maple: Best for sweet cocktail lovers, offering a unique maple flavor that shines in mixed drinks like Old Fashioneds. Its simplicity makes it approachable for those who prefer sweet, flavored bourbons.
2. Knob Creek Rye: Ideal for those who enjoy a balance of rye spice and bourbon sweetness, perfect for enjoying on the rocks or in classic cocktails.
3. Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon: A versatile choice that provides a rich, inviting taste with a smooth finish, suitable for drinking neat, on ice, or in cocktails.
4. Knob Creek 15 Year Bourbon: Recommended for those who appreciate a strong oaky presence, best enjoyed over ice to balance the intense oak flavors.
5. Knob Creek 12 Year Bourbon: Offers a bolder, oakier taste compared to the 9 Year, best for those who enjoy a pronounced oak spice and can be enjoyed neat or with a large ice ball to temper the oakiness.
6. Knob Creek Quarter Oak: Stands out in the under $50 category, offering a rich and complex flavor that enhances the classic Knob Creek profile, perfect for those seeking depth without the high price tag.
7. Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon: The top choice for bourbon aficionados looking for a potent, undiluted whiskey experience, best enjoyed neat or with a little water to bring out its rich flavors.
8. Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Quick Look at the Knob Creek Range

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Bourbon	Price	Proof
Smoked Maple	$38	90
Rye	$38	100
9-Year	$39	100
15-Year	$132	100
12-Year	$73	100
Single Barrel	$55	120
Quarter Oak	$50	100

Knob Creek Smoked Maple: Sweet Sipper or Cocktail Star

• Nose: Maple syrup, caramel
• Palate: Maple, vanilla
• Finish: Maple
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Knob Creek Smoked Maple offers a unique twist on bourbon. The aroma is rich with maple, caramel, and subtle hints of smoke and alcohol. The taste is all about maple sweetness, with vanilla playing a supporting role. The finish is short, warm, and maple-forward.

While the smokiness might be subtle, the sweetness dominates. This makes Knob Creek Smoked Maple better suited for cocktails like Old Fashioneds where its maple character can shine. Neat sippers might find it overly sweet and liqueur-like, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Knob Creek Rye: Rye Spice with Bourbon Sweetness

• Nose: Cherry, rye spice, oak
• Palate: Oak, cherry, tobacco
• Finish: Caramel, old leather, dried fruit
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Knob Creek Rye straddles the line between rye whiskey and rye-forward bourbon. The aroma offers a combination of rye spice, cherry, and oak, while the taste balances rye spice with oak, cherry, and caramel notes. Despite its 100 proof, it boasts a rich, oily texture and a smooth drinking experience.

The long, warm finish features cinnamon, brown sugar, and dried fruit. This rye whiskey is a crowd-pleaser, balancing spice, wood, and dark fruit. Enjoy it neat, with a splash of water, or after letting it breathe. A great choice for those who enjoy a moderately spicy rye or a rye-influenced bourbon.

Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon: Rich, Smooth, and Inviting

• Nose: Cherry, vanilla, caramel, rye spice, oak
• Palate: Vanilla, oak, cherry, chocolate, peanuts
• Finish: Long, vanilla, banana, baking spices
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon delivers a unique flavor profile thanks to extended aging in charred barrels. The aroma entices with cherries, vanilla, caramel, oak, and a hint of rye spice. The creamy palate blends vanilla, oak, chocolate, cherries, and a signature Jim Beam peanut note. Despite its 100 proof, it’s remarkably smooth and lacks harshness. The finish is long, warm, and satisfying.

Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon is a solid choice, highly recommended for its rich, inviting body and balanced flavors. Its smoothness makes it enjoyable neat, on the rocks, or even in cocktails.

Knob Creek 15 Year Bourbon: A Solid Sipper with Oaky Edge

• Nose: Oak, caramel, cherry
• Palate: Oak, vanilla, caramel
• Finish: Long, dry, warming
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Knob Creek 15 Year Bourbon boasts a mature profile. The aroma is dominated by oak with hints of caramel and cherry. The palate follows suit, leading with a warm, oak-forward character that mellows into familiar Knob Creek notes of caramel, vanilla, honey, and a touch of peanut. The finish is long, dry, and slightly bitter.

While enjoyable, this bourbon’s oak influence is more pronounced compared to other 15-year bourbons, creating a somewhat unbalanced profile. For those who appreciate a bold oak presence, Knob Creek 15 can be a good choice. However, if you seek a more harmonious blend of flavors, other options might be more satisfying. It’s best enjoyed over ice to tame some of the oak intensity.

Knob Creek 12 Year Bourbon: Bold Oak Meets Sweetness

• Nose: Roasted peanuts, caramel, oak, brown sugar
• Palate: Oak spice, dark chocolate, peanuts, cherry
• Finish: Cherry, chocolate, black pepper
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Knob Creek 12 Year Bourbon offers a bolder flavor profile compared to its younger sibling, the 9-Year. The aroma is sweet with roasted peanuts, caramel, brown sugar, and woody notes. The taste is dominated by oak spice, unfolding into flavors of bitter chocolate, cherry, and peanuts. The finish is long and dry, echoing the oak, chocolate, cherry, and black pepper notes.

While enjoyable, the oak spice is more prominent here due to the extra aging. To appreciate Knob Creek 12 Year’s full character, enjoy it neat. Water can enhance sweetness but might also intensify the oak. A large ice ball offers a solution, tempering the oakiness while allowing the sweetness to shine through.

Knob Creek Quarter Oak: Enhanced Character for Under $50

• Nose: Peanuts, caramel, brown sugar, tobacco
• Palate: Roasted peanuts, vanilla, almond, baking spice
• Finish: Orange, tobacco, baking spice
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Knob Creek Quarter Oak takes their classic bourbon and elevates it with an additional four years in smaller oak casks. This unique aging process results in a distinct flavor profile. The aroma is classic Knob Creek peanut, accented by caramel, brown sugar, and a hint of tobacco. The peanut flavor takes center stage on the palate, joined by vanilla, almond, and baking spices. The warm finish lingers with citrus, tobacco, and black pepper notes.

Knob Creek Quarter Oak offers a richer and more complex experience compared to the standard Knob Creek, making it a standout choice for under $50. While not the most intricate bourbon, it delivers a consistent and enjoyable expression of the Knob Creek signature peanutty character.

Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon: Undiluted Excellence

• Nose: Fruit, maple, caramel, vanilla, roasted nuts
• Palate: Nuts, fruit, baking spice, vanilla, oak
• Finish: Caramel, spice, oak
• Alcohol content: 120 proof (60% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon delivers a powerful punch of flavor. Bottled straight from a single barrel at 120 proof, it offers an undiluted Knob Creek experience. The aroma is sweet with maple syrup, vanilla, and a hint of alcohol. The rich and buttery palate unfolds with notes of nuts, baking spice, vanilla, oak, and the signature Knob Creek peanut character. The long finish is warming with cinnamon, vanilla, and oak spice.

Despite its high proof, Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon is surprisingly smooth. Enjoy it neat to appreciate its full character, or add a touch of water to enhance sweetness and soften the spice. This is a top shelf bourbon offering exceptional value for its quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Knob Creek Considered a Top-Shelf Bourbon?

• While Knob Creek is a popular and well-regarded brand, it is not typically classified as top-shelf. For a higher-end option within the Jim Beam family, Booker’s is recommended.

What is the Best Way to Drink Knob Creek Bourbon?

• Smoked Maple: Best in Old Fashioneds.
• Rye: Ideal for cocktails.
• 9-Year: Enjoyable with water or on the rocks.
• 12-Year: Best with added water.
• 15-Year: Savor with water.
• Single Barrel: Recommended with water.

What Criteria Are Used to Select the Best Knob Creek Bourbons?

• Selection is based on expert advice, customer feedback, expert opinions, and comprehensive research.
• This approach ensures a well-rounded perspective that aligns with both individual preferences and the wider bourbon community’s consensus.