2015 Knob Creek Belmont Stakes Bourbon Out In A Few States

Whereas the Kentucky Derby is more or less Brown-Forman bourbon territory another one of the popular horse races, the upcoming Belmont Stakes, is more about Beam whiskies such as Knob Creek. This bourbon brand is front and center for the Stakes, offering up both a commemorative 2015 bottling as well as an “official” cocktail.

First, the bottling. As you can see to the right, this year’s wrapper is a checkered mix of light blues with a silhouette of a rider and horse set against it. The bourbon itself is a small batch, nine year old, 100 proof standard Knob Creek affair, so if you are picking up a bottle for pricing I’m seeing online in the neighborhood of $40, you’ll definitely be after it more for the collectible interest of the label versus what’s in the juice itself.

The bourbon, should you seek it out, has only been released in New York, Kentucky, California, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Illinois.

The cocktail, meanwhile, is dubbed the Belmont Jewel. Here’s the recipe for the thirsty, or just curious:

– 1.5 ounces of Knob Creek bourbon
– 2 ounces lemonade
– 1 ounce pomegranate juice

Shake vigorously with ice and serve in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a red cherry or a lemon twist.

The Belmont Stakes happens this year on June 6.