Can’t-Miss Exclusive Gems from Knob Creek
“Bottled at 120 proof, these 9-year-old casks are incredible values when measured against their Bluegrass State peers.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer
Not one but two exceptional K&L Exclusive Casks have just landed from Knob Creek, and fans of the iconic Kentucky distillery should take serious interest. Our long-time relationship with them allows us access that few others in the industry have, and we’ve brought in some true showstoppers over the years. But thanks to surging demand in the market, the distillery is starting to hold back some of these stocks, meaning opportunities like this may very well become increasingly rare. The two 9-year-olds on offer today boast distinctly different profiles, but they each offer an equally thrilling, cask-strength drinking experience. Barrel #14479 is the brash and boisterous one, as it aged in a much warmer warehouse location. “Big and spicy,” according to spirits buyer Andrew Whiteley, “this specimen is sure to please” any avid Knob Creek aficionado. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Barrel #14675 “is superbly easy to drink and go back to time and time again for neat pours, rocks pours, and it’s got the stuffing to stand up to any cocktail recipe.” At under $60 each, these are two of the finest buys in our bourbon inventory. As the market for stellar finds like these changes rapidly, collectors and connoisseurs should take advantage of every opportunity that comes along.
Whiskey fans should also be on the lookout for our spectacular, best-in-market price on the Knob Creek Rye Whiskey in 1.75L format. At a can’t-miss Insider’s deal of just $39.99, it can become a regular staple on your bar for over 30% less than you’ll find it anywhere else in the market.
| Item Name |
Retail |
Link |
| Knob Creek “Single Barrel Select” K&L Exclusive Barrel #14479 (Distilled 10/10/12, Warehouse I, Floor 6, Rick 68) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) |
$59.99 |
View |
| Knob Creek “Single Barrel Select” K&L Exclusive Barrel #14675 (Distilled 10/10/12, Warehouse G, Floor 3, Rick 48) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) |
$59.99 |
View |
Knob Creek “Single Barrel Select” K&L Exclusive Barrel #14479 (Distilled 10/10/12, Warehouse I, Floor 6, Rick 68) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($59.99)
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 02, 2022
Knob Creek routinely offers some of the finest drinking out of Kentucky at very fair prices. The single barrel program has always had a 9-year-old minimum age statement, but folks really took notice when they started routinely bottling 13- to 15-year-old barrels. While they’ve moved back to barrels in the 9-10 range thanks to surging demand (and the creation of much more expensive 12- and 15-year-old official releases), the drinking is still excellent. It would be a mistake to overlook these 9-year-old gems due to the relatively younger whiskey—nine years is still a mighty long time in today’s bourbon landscape. Bottled at 120 proof, these 9-year-old casks are incredible values when measured against their Bluegrass State peers. Both of our current casks were distilled on 10/10/12, but saw considerably different aging conditions. This cask was aged in warehouse 1 on the 6th floor, a much hotter location than Barrel 14675’s 3rd floor resting place. The result is a bourbon with lots of barrel extraction. It is big and spicy with sweet maple tones on the nose. The palate is a bold amalgam of succulent raw corn, brown sugar, maple, cinnamon bark, just a touch of fresh cut grass, and feels thick like syrup on the tongue. Cooked down vanilla on the finish leaves a very pleasant aftertaste. At 60%, it’s big, but no monster hazmat-style bourbon. With an ice cube it drinks very easy without losing intensity. If you’ve ever enjoyed a sip of any Knob Creek, this specimen is sure to please.
Knob Creek “Single Barrel Select” K&L Exclusive Barrel #14675 (Distilled 10/10/12, Warehouse G, Floor 3, Rick 48) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($59.99)
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 10, 2022
Cool and easy going—this cask is Arthur Fonzarelli. Laid back, emanating chill, but not lacking a fiery, tough-guy attitude when he needs to step up. Beautiful copper in color, it’s a striking pour. Barrel #14675 was, like its sister barrel, distilled on 10/10/2012. It did, however, age in the center of the rickhouse on the 3rd floor, rick 48. It’s a much cooler profile than our other in stock cask. It’s more sandalwood than cinnamon, more mint than grass, and of course still tons of that sweet corn and butterscotch/vanilla profile at a robust 60% ABV. There is a freshly popped popcorn note, sweet, buttery, and while not salty, it is set off by a more herbaceous tone in the whiskey—a cool spearmint. Tobacco leaf makes an appearance along with freshly cut cedar. Maple and butterscotch sweeten the aromatic profile up a bit. With time in the glass, things tend towards more spice. On the palate, it is a rich, mouth-coating pour. More cinnamon and pepper heat things up, but there is still an overarching mellow note that carries on through the finish. This cask is superbly easy to drink and go back to time and time again for neat pours, rocks pours, and it’s got the stuffing to stand up to any cocktail you want to throw it in. While just a few short years ago we were spoiled for choice on as many Knob Creek casks as we could shake a stick at, these days we are getting fewer and fewer barrels allocated to us as nationwide demand for these epic casks skyrockets. While we don’t expect the tap to get shut off completely, we don’t know how many more of these we will be able to bottle this year.
Knob Creek Rye Whiskey (1.75L) (Elsewhere $60) ($39.99)
Whisky Advocate: “Unlike the Knob Creek bourbons (which are 9 years old), theres no age statement with this new rye, which tastes relatively younger. Its bracing, vibrant, and spicy. (The rye contribution is unmistakable.) Cinnamon spice and crisp mint dominate, with charcoal, botanicals, ginger, nutmeg, honeyed fruit, vanilla, and caramel. Warming spice finish. Its dynamic personality should shine in cocktails, but from a sipping, drinking neat perspective, I wish it was a little older like its siblings. (Summer-2012)”
Wine Enthusiast: “Look for a dry, distinctly oaky, toasty profile, with plenty of deep, dark toffee and cayenne winding into the spicy, warming finish. Dilution pulls the flavors back to vanilla and buttered toast. Small batch. (KN)” (07/2016)
K&L Notes: An insane price on the 1.75L bottles of Knob Creek Rye—there is no better time to stock up on one of the best cocktailing Rye whiskeys in the store than on this one-time deal. Jim Beam’s entry into the super-premium Rye has really made some waves. While there is no age statement, this contains Rye up to nine years old. Voted “Best Rye” and brandishing double gold medals, the Knob Creek Rye has elevated Jim Beam’s profile in the burning hot cocktail scene. While this bottling shares the eminent Knob Creek name, the profile is very different. Losing the ultra-forward sweetness, you’re going to feel a strong herbal rye spice in its place. Very robust without being overly thick, you’ll find this holds up nicely in your cocktails thanks to the Knob Creek tradition of bottling at 100 proof. A nice addition to the burgeoning Rye category.
