Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 9 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)

Nearly two decades after Booker Noe, grandson of Jim Beam and sixth-generation distiller, first introduced Knob Creek, the distillery unveils its first-ever single barrel bourbon. It is carefully hand-selected, barrel-by-barrel before being cut with water, consequently, the selection process allows for variations in taste, color and aroma in each batch.

“We pay close attention to the barrels we select for Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve as we want to ensure that we’re bottling an extraordinary bourbon with a complex balance of aroma and taste,” said Fred Noe, seventh-generation Beam family distiller and son of Booker Noe. “I recommend enjoying this new bourbon neat, on the rocks or cut with a bit of water in order to best appreciate its depth and fullness of flavor.”

Rob Mason, U.S. director of Bourbons at Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc adds “We are especially thrilled to introduce our first single barrel bourbon offering, and to further strengthen our already-established credibility in the Super-Premium category.” Initial reaction from bourbon experts to the new expression has been extremely positive.

Tasting note: Perfect clarity in the bright polished copper hue. A big Bourbon sniff exudes cantaloupe husk, fresh sawn oak, dilute maple syrup and vanilla amid flashes of shellac. An amazingly balanced high abv profile offers text book flavours of spicy rye and charry oak as well as hints vanilla and old liquorice strap towards the finish, trailing off long, vibrant and assured with stunning persistence. A silent bomb of a Bourbon. Outstanding. 60% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews...This new single barrel expression of Knob Creek tastes very similar to the original “small batch” Knob Creek (when brought down to the same alcohol level). If anything, it’s slightly drier, more elegant, not as heavy on the palate, and more sophisticated — but I am reaching here. The similarity is a good thing, because I really enjoy the original expression. Keeping in mind that no two barrels are exactly alike, your decision to purchase the single barrel might just come down to whether you want to pay a little more for a higher strength version, and whether knowing that it might taste a little different than the standard small batch bottling excites you. This is a stylish, big, broad-shouldered bourbon with a thick, sweet foundation (nutty toffee, pot still rum, maple syrup) peppered with spice (cinnamon, but also vanilla and evergreen) and dried fruit. Dry, warming, resinous finish. (Incidentally, I would rate the small batch within a point or two, and the tasting notes would be very similar.) 94 points - www.maltadvocate.com (Vol. 19, #4) Reviewed by: John Hansell