Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve

I feel it's time for more Bourbon. Today's expression has been a consistent staple in my house the last few years, a hint as to how much I like it. I already mentioned the standard Knob Creek offering (100 proof) in my starting point whiskey recommendations as a personal favorite. This, the Single Barrel Reserve, is a step up from that in both proof and price.

Knob Creek is made at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. In addition to a variety of 'Jim Beam' brand spirits, the company also has four theoretically more premium small batch whiskey brands. With Knob Creek, the collection includes Basil Hayden's (very meh), Baker's (haven't had) and Booker's (great high proof option, but getting wildly overpriced).

The Beam family started distilling and selling whiskey in Kentucky in the 1790s. After Prohibition the family member who rebuilt, James Beauregard Beam, got his name on both the company and the brand, previously called 'Old Tub.' The current master distiller, Fred Noe, is the great-grandson of Jim Beam and the 7th generation family member in the position. In 2014, Beam Inc. was purchased by Japanese company Suntory, becoming Beam Suntory. Today they're one of the best-selling and most well known Bourbon producers.

The Knob Creek name comes from an actual nearby Kentucky creek that supposedly ran through the family farm of Abraham Lincoln's youth. It's the only small batch Beam brand not named for a family member and is a bit of an oddball in that respect. Knob Creek brand whiskey initially hit the shelves in 1992, with the single barrel variant first released in 2010. For a refresher on 'single barrels' see my review of Blanton's.

#5534

This Single Barrel Reserve has a nine year age statement. While not labeled as cask strength, at 60% ABV (120 proof) it's right up there with those that are. I generally prefer higher proof Bourbons, though not necessarily for the higher alcohol itself. Most of the time a higher proof means more robust flavor and that's where my interest primarily lies.

My bottle is also a 'store pick,' a trendy concept in Bourbon. The idea revolves around store owners selecting a barrel from a whiskey maker as part of creating a special offering. They often line up with expressions that are already single barrels, such as here, though that's not always the case. Considering the vast quantity of store picks out there, however, I'm skeptical in believing liquor store owners are involved beyond contacting the whiskey maker (or distributor, or whatever). Still, my good experiences lead me to think store picks are usually from choice stock and they aren't just a marketing scheme. Either way it's fun to have the unique sticker or plate stuck on the bottle if you're not paying a big up-charge for it, especially if you appreciate a particular store (like Petite Cellars).

Stats:

ABV - 60% (120 proof)

Mash - Officially unknown, estimated at 75% corn/13% rye/12% barley

Maturation - New charred oak

Age - at least 9 years

Location - Clermont, Kentucky

Price - ~$50

Tasting Notes:

Smell - Caramel-y sugar, vanilla, smells strong but good

Color - Dark for a Bourbon, more brown than red

Taste - Rich, well rounded and full Bourbon flavor, woody

Finish - Less burn than expected, good body and length, warm all the way down

Final Thoughts:

You probably wouldn't guess this is a beastly 120 proof. And it's got everything you'd want in a Bourbon unless you want no rough edges at all. I do, and in fact regularly think there's something wrong with an overly smooth Bourbon. As always, I love the Knob Creek profile and taking it up a notch with the proof adds even more delicious flavor. To me this is a must have for sipping neat or whiskey forward cocktails, like a great Old Fashioned. I'll definitely replace this (again) once it runs dry. It's a great buy for <$50 and I'd go a bit higher for another store pick.

Watch out though. That high proof will hit you fast if you're not careful.

Cheers!