Distiller: Knob Creek Distilling

Release: 2019

Bourbon: Knob Creek 12

Region: Clermont, Kentucky

Price: $60.00

Proof: 100

Age:  12 years

The Barrel Cellar Score:  93 Points

Review Date: 06/01/2020

About the Bourbon: Knob Creek is a Jim Beam Brand. I was especially excited to open the bottle I’m reviewing today as I’ve long been a fan of Beam products, especially Bookers and Knob Creek. The 12-year age statement on this bottle of Knob Creek had me excited to open it for nearly a year.

I enjoyed the whiskey for this review using a set of  Prestige diamond whiskey glasses.

Color: Strong brewed tea

Nose: Mint, peaches, brown sugar, vanilla, cocoa nibs, Marciano cherries, and “seasoned” tobacco barn.

Taste: Leather, sweet cream and smoke.  Drop a couple of ice cubes in and notes of smoke, lemon and lime citrus, and dried herbs emerge.

Finish: Smoke and black pepper.

Assessment: The nose is the story here; it’s fantastic; simply stunning. I spent a solid 30 minutes breathing it in before tasting it; mostly because I knew it would need some air before trying it, but usually I would let the glass sit still for 30 minutes rather than “huffing” it like your slightly off cousin around a sharpie.

The bourbon is smooth like you would expect a 12- year bourbon to be and the oakiness from the extended time in the barrel is a compliment to the overall profile rather than the main feature. It’s full bodied with few rough edges, and a really nice sipper.

Knob Creek Distilling’s 12-year aged bourbon is an exceptional bourbon.  93 points.

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