Day 14 of DB's Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar - Knob Creek Single Barrel

Derek Burkhard
Oct 30, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Dec 13, 2024

Cheers and welcome to our 5th Annual Advent Calendar!

This month, we’re embarking on a high-end bourbon journey, reviewing 25 bourbons from award-winning distilleries across the United States. From December 1st to December 25th, we’ll explore everything from small batches to single barrels, all packed with flavor. Join us in toasting to another incredible year as we share some of our favorite bottles with you!

Our reviews are done using a Glencairn glass and neat, but remember, it’s your bourbon! Enjoy it however you like—over ice, with water, or in a cocktail. The key is to enjoy it your way and not let others influence your experience.

Enough of me rambling. Now, let’s dive into what brought us here!

Day 14 of DB’s Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar

KNOB CREEK SINGLE BARREL - SEVEN STAR LIQUORS PICK

Proof:

120 Proof (60%)

Distillery:

Jim Beam Distillery (Clermont, KY)

Price Point:

At DB’s Bourbon Trail, we use BoozApp (not sponsored) to ensure fair pricing on our bourbon purchases. Nothing is worse than overpaying due to supply and demand games.
- Average MSRP:
  - $59.99
- Fair Price:
  - $100.50
- Shelf Price:
  - $93.64
- DB’s Bourbon Trail Instant Buy Price:
  - <$59.99

Review:

Knob Creek’s Fred Noe, the 7th Generation Master Distiller, is the son of Booker Noe and the grandson of Jim Beam, a name that needs no introduction.

I would think many of us are likely familiar with the name Jim Beam and most likely Knob Creek too. For those who aren't, I gathered some information from their website since the bottle didn't provide much detail.

When the very first bottle of Knob Creek was released, its mission was to restore whiskey to the way it was meant to be -- patiently aged and full-flavored. This commitment not only helped Knob Creek overturn all the softer, milder, whiskeys on the market, it was also a major step toward making the small-batch whiskey movement what it is today.

We don’t age our bourbon nine years and longer because we’re required to. We do it because the extra time and effort are well worth it. Under the care of seventh-generation distillers, minutes become days, the days become years and the years become bourbon. Refined enough to sip, yet strong enough to carry a cocktail. We call it Knob Creek.

One thing I learned from this review is that all Knob Creek bottles are aged for at least 9 years. While their standard bottle does have a 9-year age statement, I have not connected the dots before. This aging standard ensures a consistently flavorful pour, and I'm excited to try this year's single barrel select from Seven Star!

Nose:

Overall, the nose is pleasant for 120 proof with tons of flavor. It opens with rich notes of toffee, offering a warm and inviting sweetness. This is beautifully complemented by the fruity aroma of cherry. As the nose continues to build, there's a robust oak presence that provides a strong foundation to build off of.

Palate:

The palate is rich with flavor, offering a buttery mouthfeel complemented by toffee and brown sugar sweetness that pairs perfectly with some caramel notes. A pleasant spice lingers into the finish, accompanied by hints of mixed nuts and leather.

Finish:

The finish of this pour is an adventure! It starts with a sweetness that reminds me of a sweet vanilla cream foam from Starbucks. Then, the peppery spice kicks in, perfectly complementing the vanilla cream. There's also a hint of nuts and leather that lingers from the palate.

Final Thoughts:

One thing I do want to note is that I've always favored Knob Creek among the bottles from Beam Distillery. It's hard not to when the quality is this high! Their patience and dedication to proper aging really shines through. The 12-year has been a long-time favorite of mine, but this year's Single Barrel is giving it some serious competition!

There's something special about a bottle that nails the sweet and spice balance, and this one does it perfectly for me. It has a much more peppery spice than any other bottle I've tried this year, making it stand out. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!"

Cheers y’all! 🥃

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