In 2019 the Knob Creek 12 Years was released as a limited edition, and in 2020 it became a core bourbon offering from Jim Beam. And not just a core offering, but a core offering at a not-insane price level: $60. With 12+ year-old whiskey often fetching $150+ per bottle this move by Jim Beam is pretty awesome.
I know $60 isn’t “cheap”, but in the world of high-aged bourbon, these days, that’s a bottom shelf price. When I first heard the news I was expecting them to price it at-or-higher-than Booker’s. I’m glad to see they didn’t, but we’re not here to talk about price, we’re here to talk about whiskey. So let’s get to sippin’.
Knob Creek 12 Years – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 50%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $60*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Oaky brown
NOSE
Oaky, nutty, leather, dark sweets, pumpkin spice, pie crust and peanuts with a touch of yeasty-biscuity notes and green coffee beans. There’s a warm, dark, pastry note that comes and goes, adding to the homey and full of character of this bourbon. The aroma holds a nice depth and complexity of notes that balance nicely against the heavy oak.
PALATE
Oaky, nutty, dark fruit, leather, dark sweets, pumpkin spice, pie crust and some copper with a touch of yeasty-biscuity notes. It’s dark, oaky and carries an almost sticky sweetness that perfectly balances out the heavy oak.
FINISH
Med-Long -> Peanuts, oak and caramel. The finish on the Knob Creek 12 Years is the least interesting piece of this whiskey, but it’s still quite nice.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Great balance, med-full body and a warm, oily feel.
Knob Creek 12 Years – Overall Thoughts and Score
This is good, but I doubt you needed me to tell you that if you’re already a fan of the standard Knob Creek. KC fans have been hunting out 12+ yo single barrel store and bar picks because we know what happens to KC at these higher ages. The depth of oak and dark sweetness that play through the senses and bring out more of the signature style we love in the standard release.
I love how diverse the KC line is getting with the options of a 9-year-old standard small-batch, distillery SiB, store SiBs, multiple rye releases and now a Knob Creek 12 Years plus some special/limited editions. It’s a good time to be a KC fan.
SCORE: 4/5
*Disclosure: The sample for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Knob Creek 12 Years Review $60
Summary
A big, bold, beautiful, double-digit aged, whiskey delivered at 100 proof and a decent price. What more could you want? Besides all of the above at cask strength I mean.
Overall
4- Nose (4)
- Palate (4)
- Finish (4)
- BBF (4)
