Knob Creek 9y Single Barrel Reserve with Dan

Back to the creek best known for its knobs. That is a terrible intro, so let me try again.

Knob Creek! Single Barrel! 120 Proofs! All the proofs! We’ve had a Knob Creek before, about a year and a half ago, and the last review is a little, or completely, light on the information. I’m going to see if I can do better this time.

Looking at their website, they do one interesting thing – consumers in Canada and the US can order customized labels. For free. As long as you’re not vulgar or greedy (seriously), they’ll send them off to you for free. They even tell you when you need to order by for Father’s Day.

The rest of the website details the life of the first distiller and their heritage in the location and all that good authentic stuff. Prohibition this and real taste that. They’re also part of Jim Beam’s Small Batch line, along with Booker’s, Baker’s & Candlestick Mak- I mean, Basil Hayden’s.

I’m going to keep an eye out for Booker’s to complete the set. Here’s what we thought:

colour
Dan – honey
Simon – red, brass

nose
Dan – damp wooden cherries
Simon – lots of noise, definitely single barrel, classic knob creek wax/butter

neat
Dan – hot, cherry
Simon – sweet, fire, explosive, warm cheeks, wood, sweet maple or caramel

finish
Dan – a little dry
Simon – full heat

splash
Dan – very slight licorice, pear, wood, less sweet
Simon – still tingles the tongue, but tamed, sweetness is foremost, subtle wood notes continue

Knob Creek 9y Single Barrel Reserve – 60% 750ml – $54.90 – Kentucky

Try it? Sure. Buy it? No.