Today i am reviewing the standard easy to find small batch knob Creek Bourbon, many other versions are available like the single barrel, cask strength and store picks to name just a few.

Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon weighs in at a respectable 50% vol (100 proof for my American friends) and produced by Jim Beam at the Knob Creek Distillery in Clermont Kentucky as part of the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection. when first released in 1992 Knob Creek carried a 9 year age statement. In 2016 Beam removed the age statement saying they could not guarantee all barrels would be aged to 9 years due to stock levels and high demand. Unfortunately the non age statement knob isn’t quite as good as the 9 year age statement version used to be, Thankfully they have since announced the 9 year age statement will return in 2020.

No colour added!

Beam states that they “age every batch in maximum-char barrels to pull every bit of natural sweetness from the oak.” The beautiful chestnut brown colour this Bourbon has means I would not argue with that statement!

Price: At around £30-£36 and easy to find. The bottle looks at home in any old cowboy movie, it’s squared shape is comfortable and pleasing to hold, the wax seal (although fiddly with an element of danger from wax falling in your drink) really gives it a quality product feel. Just saying the words knob Creek will get a few laughs but don’t be fooled, this Bourbon is serious and demands respect! Price/branding: 20/25.

On the nose: without adding any water the alcohol on the nose is present but not overbearing, first comes the toasted brown bread with big hits of dark caramel and vanilla, a very nice nutty note (think unshelled monkey nuts) Also some hints of red apples, summer berrys and cinnamon. After adding a splash of water it opened up slightly to reveal some old dry oak, herbal garden mint that I believe to be from the high rye content. Overall a very pleasing nose. Nose: 20/25.

On the palate: The first sip gives you every bit of that 50% vol, but the heavy hitting dark caramelised sugar and vanilla isn’t far behind! As you dig a little further you will find roasted nuts with a cinnamon and clove spice, with slight oak before giving you some dark fruits like cherry and fig. A splash of water mellows the alcohol and gives a softer edge, bringing up the sweetness, plus the oak becomes more of a feature rather than a wing man. palate: 22/25.

The finish: You get a medium to long finish, as the fruits and heavy flavours fade they give way to drying slightly bitter flavours, the nuts, cinnamon and oak stick around for the after party but decide to invite some dark chocolate and orange zest for company. A drop of water neutralises the bitterness and increases the sweetness at the tail end. The finish: 18/25.

Total: 80/100

Final thoughts: Knob Creek is one of the most iconic bourbons around today. Even though many bourbons will score higher, this is one of the best value bottles on the shelf, only a handful come close for quality, price and availability. Would I recommend this? Yes, but not to a first time whiskey drinker, you need to earn your stripes before trying to tame this beast!