Knob Creek Rye is a higher proofed version of the regular Jim Beam Prohibition Rye or Old Overholt and is supposedly aged a bit longer. Like the Knob Creek Bourbon, the casks for the Knob Creek Rye are sourced from the prime locations of the warehouse. These factors of barrel location, proof and supposed longer aging are what make this the premium version of their traditional rye.
In Jim Beam’s Words: Knob Creek Rye
“Made with a blend of the finest quality rye to create an extraordinarily smooth yet spicy finish.
COLOR
Shades of gold to light amber.
TASTE
Bold rye spiciness with undertones of vanilla and oak.
AROMA
Expansive notes of herbs and rye with nuances of oak.
FINISH
Warm and smooth with spice throughout.”
What I find the most interesting about the above notes from Jim Beam is that I completely agree with them as a broad stroke to encapsulate the general character of this whiskey. It’s not often that I agree with them, but their notes are so general and all encompassing that they easily fit. But that’s what they’re there for, to give a general idea. To get a more specific idea let’s jump on into the Knob Creek Rye review below!
Knob Creek Rye Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mashbill: It’s a secret
Cask: New-charred oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 50%
Price: $40
Knob Creek Rye Review
EYE
Dark amber
NOSE
Caramel syrup, rye spice, citrus, sour cherry candy, oak, clove, raisiny dried fruit and a bit of caramel and vanilla. Light bits of cocoa and mint come and go as the whiskey sits and opens.
PALATE
Rye spice, red fruit (berries and cherries), citrus peels, oak, peanuts, caramel and a bit of nutmeg and vanilla with some lighter notes of pepper, leather and menthol.
FINISH
Long spice, caramel, oak and vanilla.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, round full body and a heavy smooth feel.
OVERALL
Knob Creek Rye is a great daily drinking rye. It has noticeably more raw character than any of the standard Jim Beam rye releases and carries a greater sense of depth making it a more interesting pour no matter what you’re using it for – it has versatility. Neat this whiskey smells and drinks rich and full with a decidedly spicy delivery across the senses. In a cocktail it delivers a solid spicy backbone. The only thing I really wish it had more of was oak.
It’s definitely not a light whiskey as it has a lot to offer from nose through the finish, but it’s also not a deep rustic whiskey either. It sits in-between as a spice bomb which is its own sort of beauty. It also sits at an attractive $40 which makes it an easy choice when looking for a nice spicy rye that can pull double duty on the bar cart.
SCORE: 87/100 (B+)
