Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye Review

Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye

I pretty much said everything I need to about the Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye in the Nasa Liquor Knob Creek rye Single Barrel pick post Yesterday so not a whole lot to say about this whiskey. The most notable detail to point out here is that it’s barrel 5851 picked by the folks at K&L and the Nasa was 5811; being only 40 barrels apart practically makes them cousins.

All-in-all, it’s rather self-explanatory: this is a single cask, high proof, offering of Jim Beam’s rye mash. The same mash, and whiskey, that ends up in things like the Jim Beam Prohibition Rye and Old Overholt Bonded. So… let’s hop on down because K&L has a few things to say about their pick.

Whiskey Review: Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye

In K&L’s Words: Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye

“The fabulous new single barrel offering from Knob Creek is truly in a class of its own. Very different in character than the standard single barrel rye, we were extremely happy to see that they’d be bottling it near cask strength at 115 proof…

… The whiskey also doesn’t remind us of the regular Knob Creek either, which typically shows a nutty quality that doesn’t exist at all in this whiskey. Instead this new offering is a zesty spice bomb with tons of bright ginger and sweet candied notes and bright citrus aromatics. The palate is rich and filled with wonderful herbs. The obvious caraway, dried grass and pepper are pointed by striking lemon peel, fresh tanned hide, cinnamon and roasted cloves. Spicy and hot on the finish yet eminently drinkable way. We’ve got alot of great rye, but this is one of the most exciting single cask we’ve had to date.”

Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Kentucky

Distiller: Jim Beam
Mash Bill: 55% Rye, 35% Corn, and 10% Malt (rumored)
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 57.2%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Barrel: 5851

Price: $48

Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye Tasting Notes

EYE
Caramel

NOSE
Oak, cocoa, pine, spice, citrus, Smarties, grain and a bit of vanilla.

PALATE
Oaky, cinnamon, cocoa, hazelnuts, citrus, roasted corn, vanilla and butterscotch with a bit of leather, nuts and dill.

FINISH
Long -> Nutty, oaky, roasty and sweet fade.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good, full round body and a warm oily delivery.

Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye Review – OVERALL

This K&L Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye is noticeably different from the Nasa pick from yesterday. This one is sweeter with the aroma bringing some big notes of cocoa and candy-like sweetness rolling out. The palate brings out more of that sweetness with a heavier nutty presence which really shows in the finish.

The market is currently in a slump when it comes to big American rye offerings like this, especially when you add affordability to the equation. Really what do we have? Hochstadter’s 16 year at $200 a pop, Redemption Barrel Proof Rye at $100, Angel’s Envy CS Rye at insane prices, Jack Daniels Single Barrel Rye (<$60), Tom’s Foolery Cask Strength Rye (<$50), Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye (<$50) and this at <$50.

Sure you have a smattering of craft ryes that taste terrible, but treally it’s a fairly small market for well matured high proof rye and I’m happy to see Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye expand it with a sub $50 bottle. What else could you ask for?

SCORE: 88/100 (B+)

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