Review: Knob Creek 25th Anniversary
This is the review for Knob Creek 25th Anniversary Bourbon. This is a new format for Bourbonr. For this review, I’ve included a live review I did on the Bourbonr Facebook group. Forgive the awkward fumbling and pauses. It seems so much more natural live 🙂 I do these reviews live and taste for the first time. I like to get my first reaction to a bourbon instead of taking the time to think about it. After the review, I go back and taste again and see how I feel. For the tasting part two, I’ll include my thoughts below the video.
Knob Creek 25th Anniversary details:
The Knob Creek brand was released in 1992 by the Jim Beam Distillery and its Master Distiller Booker Noe. Knob Creek was a part of the new “Small Batch” lineup from Beam. Knob Creek is from Beam’s “low” rye mash bill. Estimated at 77/13/10 – corn/rye/barley.
- Single Barrel
- Cask strength 120-125 proof (varies by barrel)
- 12-13 years old (varies by barrel)
- 300 barrels – roughly 25,000-30,000 bottles
- Retail $129.99
- Release date – June 2017
- Sample A (121.8 proof) – sweet, spicy and tannic finish. Notes of orange peel, black pepper, and pipe tobacco. Pretty good nose and taste. Falls off to a dry short finished
- Sample B (125 proof) – Caramel and cherry syrup. Rich and oily mouth feel. Nice spice notes of red pepper and mint. The finish lingers more the sample A. This is a really good bourbon.
After tasting a second time I solidified my first tasting notes. Sample B was exceptional. I’d definitely buy a bottle. Sample A was pretty good but I would put it on par with most good Knob Creek single barrels or private picks. I was nervous for this release. Knob Creek 2001 Limited Edition was less than stellar in my opinion. However, I think Beam recreated a little of the Booker’s 25th magic (maybe they should add “25” to all LE’s) with this bourbon.
The tricky part is the price and barrel differences. Would I pay $130 for sample A? Pass. For sample B? All day. This goes for basically every limited edition but I’d try it at a bar first. If you love Knob Creek and became jaded after KC2001 you’ll be pleased with this release.
13 comments
Just curious if there is any way to identify Sample “B” for any bottles we might come up with?
You probably have a good shot at the same part b he sampled here by the proof. Part b was 125 proof vs the 121.8
First off, thanks for putting this on youtube, since I don’t do the facebook thing. I’ll have to pass on the $130 price tag for anything. I am familiar with the Candy Corn from Lincoln Road package Store in Hattiesburg, Ms. They have some awesome store picks. One of which they named Groundhog. It’s a 12yr 10 month release as well. I thought it was a lot better (for my taste) then the Candy Corn. Again, thanks!
A smart approach with this release would be to find a good liquor store that will sample the bottle. Unlike most limited edition releases this one really isn’t limited. Like the 2001 this will come in over 30k bottles and I had no problem finding stores that sampled the 2001 at tastings. That way you have a better idea of if you want to spend $130 and either way you get to try it.
Blake, can you let us know where the 125 proof might be found? I have only been able to come across 120.9. Thanks in advance for your reply.
Same dumb dick says wild turkey diamond sux and old forester 1920 sux so take little value in this ass clowns opinion
Are you talking about me? Where did I say 1920 “sux”? http://bourbonr.com/blog/i-was-wrong-old-forester-1920-review/
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