Whiskey Review: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve

Neat, I first notice the medium body and heat, although it’s less than expected for 120 proof. It’s fairly sweet and rich, with notes of sweet corn, dark caramel, medium kilned barley. The finish has a stiff warming, with a very deep and sustained caramel and wood experience. With a few drops of water the nose opens up significantly. The wood and orange notes dissipate and leave hints of flan, waffle, apricots, and fig. On the tongue it becomes smoother in some respect but also somewhat astringent, with more wood. The finish is drier but still significantly warm and long. A more significant water addition really brought the nose together and was more fruit punch, caramel, and oak. The palate was still warm and somewhat astringent with a bit less of the sweet corn, and the finish was a bit brighter with a hint of grapefruit pith, and slightly solventy. Final Thoughts & Score/Buy A Bottle: Score: 82/100 Overall this is an interesting way to get a more focused experience of the more popular Knob Creek bourbon. The aroma across all of the treatments was the best feature, and also the most complex and inviting aspect. The astringency along with the heat didn’t work together and it made more challenging to take additional pours. It also made me appreciate the balance that their distillers bring through blending the 100 proof version. However, at the time of this writing, $40 for a reliable, cask strength 9-year-old bourbon is excellent.