Knob Creek 18 year is a limited-edition small batch bourbon bottled at 100 proof. A quote from the Knob Creek press release says:
“As we celebrate 30 years of Knob Creek, it’s clear to me that Dad was ahead of his time in creating innovative expressions with big, bold flavors that defined pre-prohibition whiskey,” said Fred Noe, Booker Noe’s son and Seventh Generation Master Distiller. “This new 18 Year Old liquid is a nod to his vision and commitment to quality and craftsmanship, and I know this is a whiskey he’d be proud to serve. I’m honored to further his legacy with Knob Creek’s oldest and boldest expression yet.”
The list price is $170 but good luck finding it at that price or at all. Luckily one of my local bars still had a bottle of Knob Creek 18 on the shelf so I could try it. Knowing from past experience what kind of glass this establishment serves whiskey in, I did what any bourbon nerd would do, and stuck a Glencairn in my coat pocket and headed out the door. Here is my bar pour review.
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 5 minutes.
Distillery: Jim Beam.
Proof: 100.
Age: 18 years.
Mash bill: 75% Corn/ 13% Rye/ 12% Malted Barley.
Price: $30 bar pour. Retail $170.00.
Appearance: Dark caramel.
Nose
First thing that hits my nose is mainly oak char, with peanuts and rich caramel. With more time and a lot of effort I’m able to pick up stone fruit similar to nectarines, vanilla, cloves, a bit of lemon peel and a light amount baking spice. Overall it smells old, because it is, and I like it.
Palate
This has a medium mouthfeel. It’s not thin but not that viscous either. Rich caramel, peanuts, and more stone fruit (than was on the nose) come through on the palate, but not as much as I would have hoped. Transferring from the nose are some nice herbal notes with baking spice and excellent mature tasting oak. Baking spice slowly ramps up mid sip with very good palate coverage. Oak is the star of this show and the balance is better than I expected. This is a very delicious and incredibly easy drinking pour. I can’t help wondering what this would be like at a higher ABV but enjoying it as is nonetheless.
Finish
Baking spice continues to linger on the palate with caramel, vanilla, clove and some stone fruit. Rich oak changes into tannins of leather which linger for a very long time to create an impressively long finish. Especially for a 100 proof expression.
Conclusion
I’m not surprised how much I enjoyed this pour given how much I love oak. From the nose I was expecting the palate to be more oak dominant than it was. Don’t get me wrong, oak is the main attraction, but it’s blended very well to avoid being over oaked. On the other hand, Knob Creek 18 is not very complex either, at least by what I’m experiencing from this one bar pour. Could be if I spent more time with this bottle, I would notice more than what I picked up today, but I don’t think there is much more in the way of complexity I’m missing here. The 100 proof is working for this expression, but I don’t think I’m alone in wondering how much better it could be in terms of mouthfeel and overall complexity if it were offered at a higher ABV. But we all know the flip side of that. In only one bar pour I can say that I would buy Knob Creek 18 if I could find it at retail. I love that Knob Creek 18 is offering us a chance to experience a very well constructed, enjoyable 18-year Kentucky bourbon at a price that is not insane. Yet, it lacks in the areas I’ve mentioned. It was certainly worth the price I paid for a pour and if it’s still on the shelf on my next visit, I may have to have another.
Rating: 7.8/10.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
