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Whiskey Review: Knob Creek 7 Year Rye

We review Knob Creek 7 Year Rye, now with its own seven year old age statement.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Knob Creek 7 Year Rye review

Tasting Notes

About:

Mash bill undisclosed, but it’s a straight rye, which means that it’s at least 51% rye grass and aged in new oak; aged for a minimum of seven years; 50% alcohol by volume/100 proof; MSRP of $36.95 for a 750 ml bottle.
Appearance:
Red amber; firm legs on the side of the glass.
Nose:
I didn’t notice the usual spiciness of rye, or anything approaching rye bread. Instead, I discovered overripe brown bananas, coffee cake with a cinnamon-crumb topping, and almonds.
Palate:
Light on the rye spice; more a sweet whiskey than a peppery one. Vanilla, cinnamon spiced apples, brown sugar butter cookies. Fades quickly, with a gentle, honeyed finish.
Finish:
Comments:

This is a rye for people who don’t think they like rye. It’s a quality entry-level rye, at a reasonable price point. It tastes corn heavy, with bourbon-like flavors and probably a high percentage of corn in the mash bill. Regardless, I think it hits exactly where it should: Reliable, affordable, perfectly acceptable whiskey. It’s a worthy addition to any bar.


Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Scott Bernard Nelson

Scott Bernard Nelson is a writer, actor, and whiskey reviewer based in Portland, Oregon. While currently working in higher education, he previously dedicated 22 years to journalism, covering impactful events such as 9/11 in Manhattan, crossing into Iraq with U.S. Marines, and contributing to The Boston Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of abuse in the Catholic Church, which inspired the film "Spotlight." Since 2019, Scott has shared his insights as a whiskey reviewer for The Whiskey Wash.  

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