Knob Creek is one of the 4 premium bourbons put out by Jim Beam. The others are Booker’s, Baker’s and Basil Hayden (which a longer aged Old Grand-Dad) and I’ll getting tackling them soon enough. Knob Creek takes it’s name from Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home in Kentucky and is quite a good bourbon. Maybe I’m just an old tyme romantic, but I also like the story they weave about it being created to represent a style of whiskey that existed before mass production and supposedly “embodies the look, feel and taste of pre-prohibition bourbon”. Which might be why it’s so damn good in pre-prohibition cocktails.
At nine years Knob Creek is aged for longer than a lot of Bourbon brands out there, but age isn’t everything. As true with whiskey as it is in life, age is just a number and it’s maturity that really matters. This is where Knob Creek steps to the plate and, for the most part delivers with taste and texture that can only come from a mature bourbon. Knob Creek may not be the most complex bourbon out there, but it’s a solid full bodied bourbon with classic flavors and a smooth finish that’s easy to drink. It’s delicious neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail and it’s robust flavor is why it’s one of the bourbons I like to keep on hand.
If you’ve tried Knob Creek I’d love to hear your thoughts or tasting notes in the comments below.
Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon Review
ABV: 50%
Price: $35
Distiller: Knob Creek / Jim Beam
EYE
Very deep caramel with some red and orange facets
NOSE
A classic bourbon nose of caramel with hints of vanilla. Some cinnamon notes and something a bit like a low grade maple syrup. Soft oak is accompanied by notes of something intriguingly vegetal. A hint of corn so light that I could just be imagining it.
TASTE
Caramel comes rolling out of the glass and even though it’s a bit hidden some vanilla tumbles alongside of it. A slightly musty corn runs through the whole dram with some full bodied oak balancing it out. Plenty of bourbon spice and some notes of malt that help round out the whole palate.
FEEL
For a 100 proof it’s rather easy to drink neat. It’s smooth and warming without a whole lot of burn. A little dry, but that comes with the 100 proof territory.
FINISH
Caramel dominates the aftertaste and is followed up with some corn, grainy cherry like fruit and a solid woody underpinning.
SCORE: 87/100
Very accurate review and one of my favorites!
Knob Creek 9 Small Batch is absolutely a favorite dram of mine. Such an amazing experience to sip on neat. It is a staple for me and I am glad it is becoming a cornerstone for the line. This stacks up beside very respectable bourbons and I think shines
as strong and solid of a pour as any. It has a good complexity and sweetness and right amount of hug to warm me up on a cold day.
I think your review of this bourbon hits the nail right on the head. Nicely done!
Thanks Chad and thank you for sharing your thoughts as well. Cheers!
Just found your 2013 review of Knob Creek and the 2021 9 year old I recently bought still fits the description you gave then pretty well. I also seem to find a fair amount of rye spice in the flavor profile; not as much as a typical high rye mash bill, but it’s not too far off either. I’m more of a scotch drinker, but this is really some surprisingly good bourbon.
Awesome, glad you’re liking it Paul. Cheers!
The 9 year statement is finally back… maybe because of all the watering holes being closed…. might be my imagination but it’s a little above the always good KC of the recent past , more flavor and finish
I saw that and I’m looking forward to trying it!
Great Review!
Great review! As a HUGE fan of bourbon, I like to try different brands at various price points. Today, I bought Knob Creek Small Batch (50%) for the first time, and truly love it! Usually I drink Jim Beam Devil’s Cut or Gentlemen Jack, but the Knob Creek Small Batch definitely has a more complex flavour and finish, which I really enjoy. Our selection of bourbons up here in Winnipeg, Canada isn’t quite as diverse as in the U.S. From the following that we carry locally, which would you recommend I try?
1. Legent Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
2. Bulleit Bourbon 10 Yr. Old Whiskey
3. Heaven Hill Larceny Bourbon
4. Russell’s Reserve 10 Yr. Old Bourbon
5. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
6. I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon
7. Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon
8. Wild Turkey Longbranch Kentucky Bourbon
9. 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon
10. Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon
11. Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Bourbon
12. Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon
13. Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon (45%)
14. Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon
15. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
16. Maker’s Mark 46 Kentucky Bourbon
17. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
18. Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey
19. Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon
20. Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Bourboun
That’s quite a few, but I’d appreciate any recommendations on these as I’ve typically stayed true to Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam or Wild Turkey.
Thanks, George.
Wow, loved reading this. Thanks for sharing Jiri! Based on what I read above I’d recommend the Russell’s 10. Elijah Craig is always good and you can never go wrong with Four Roses. If you want to go on the much sweeter side the Larceny is a good value as well and I like it a bit more than Maker’s Mark if we’re comparing wheated bourbons.
Cheers!
Woodford Reserve is my favourite but find that Knob Creek is actually very similar for a lot less $$$. More complex than JB Black. This could become my favourite in the future. I drink 2 ounces with a single ice cube. YUM! 4 stars
Awesome, thanks for sharing, cheers!
Hi Josh —
Do you know anything about Knob Creek going back to the “Aged 9 years” label? A couple years ago they went to a NAS label.
I recently read where they’re supposed to be going back to a full 9 years of aging. But it is the internet after all and some of what you read isn’t true.
Thanks!
Hey Tom,
I’ve heard similar, but we’ll see if it shows up on the label. I also read they might be bringing Basil Hayden back to an 8 year… though I highly doubt that one.
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I am by no means any kind of expert on bourbon. I have always been a Margarita man but would switch off with a good strong Whiskey Sour every once in a while. I have always bought Wild Turkey 101 because it taste just fine mixed and 101 proof gave a good bang for the buck. I was reading a book and the main character, ( Stone Barrington) was always drinking Knobb Creek. I was in a store to buy some Wild Turkey 101 when I saw the Knobb Creek Small Batch 100 proof. Even though it was more expensive, I bought a fifth. When I got it home I tried a little straight.
Wow! So smooth. I know nothing about all the things you guys talk about such as vanilla and woody, etc. I just know that I haven’t mixed this bourbon with anything since I tasted it straight. It taste good all the way down and the burn at the bottom isn’t bad. All I know is that I’ve been a Wild Turkey devotee for about 40 years and I will be buying Knob Creek from this point forward. I doubt very much of it will ever make it into a Whiskey Sour.
Wow, thanks for sharing Darryl. Hope you keep enjoying it. Cheers!
My daughter just gave me a gift set with a bottle of small batch and two pretty nice coffee mugs.
Tried it on the rocks. This is nice. I really like this.
Sounds like a great gift. Cheers!
not bad stuff, but lacking the single barrel taste. by the way , love the big breasted girl in one of the adds. True shame the site has come to this
Hey Len, Ads are shown based on the cookies in your browser. I don’t control the ads, my inventory is just available on a network and open for anyone to buy. If everyone who read the site donated just $1 a month I wouldn’t have to run ads. But people prefer free content… so here we are.
How many barrels do you reckon they pull for a “small batch”? Thanks
I’ve heard as low as 50 and as high 300. I don’t really know on this one. :/ Cheers!
They don’t cut corners ; this bourbon is made up of the best
100%, cheers!
“Small batch”… is that like 10-12 barrels? and my poor arithmetic , taking into consideration the angel’s share is maybe 260, 750 ml bottles per barrel. Is that in the ballpark? Love your reviews.
Thank Polly! :)
Hard to say on the Small Batch as there’s no actual definition for small batch. For some distilleries, it’s as low as 30 and others it’s as high as 300. Definitely something for digging into.
I love the Knob Creek. My favorite is the KC Smoked Maple small batch. I was always a scotch drinker until I tried my first KC.. Now , that is all I drink. I have tried many other bourbons but this by far my favorite..thanks.
Thanks for sharing. Cheers Bill!
Knob Creek hits where it hurts; doctors should prescribe more of it
“Jim Beam” has it wired; just name your price.
I tried this for the first time, it gave me this nasty headache for some reason. Atleast I gave it a try.
Maybe go a little easier on the tasting ;) Cheers Kevin!
I know I’m late to the game but I love KC. The first time I tried it, it was the cocktail special at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park on the Hudson River ( a Manhattan). I was in town for work and we had reservations for dinner. I had never had a Manhattan OR Knob Creek. I ended up drinking two Manhattan’s that evening and fell in love with it. I now have it on hand at all times. To me it’s a classic tasty bourbon.
Thanks for sharing, sounds like a great night. Cheers!
KC is fantastic bourbon! Smooth, easy sipper! Stocking up as the 375ml (along with KC Rye) are $12.99 in my area
Great review and fully agree-thisshould be in every bourbon fan’s collection.This is the first Beam bourbon I really liked. Booker’s is great but too expensive for regular use. JB Black is alright but just a little too woody for my taste. Haven’t had a chance to compared the original 9 year KC with the current NAS but the current version is still very good-full bodied, sweet, richly spiced and smooth. If I had to pick between this and WT 101 though I’d go with WT, plus save a few bucks.Hard to beat the old bird.
100% Agree. Cheers!
Hey Josh…….this Knob Creek Small Batch is probably my alltime favorite.
What are some other boutbons with similar taste profiles to try?
thanks
Hey Daniel,
I’d try Old Forrester 1920, Russell’s Reserve 10 Years and Henry McKenna 10 yr BiB. Those might fit the bill!
Knob Creek 1000 , my error ,100 proof , an easily accessible superlative bourbon. Pay a little more for something really good.
Cheers!
Truly the best bourbon, as this is printed anyway.
They can definitely be killer
I love Knob Creek and drink it often (my wife would say too often) back in the States. Alas, I am currently working as a defense contractor in Qatar where there is one government-sanctioned store that sells liquor and pork products…and the price of a bottle of KC is about $80 USD. So I have learned to get along with Jim Beam WL (about $50). War is hell.
Shit man, good luck. Cheers!
maybe it’s just me but I find this near the bottom of my bourbon collection. every time I have a splash neat I think it will be better than the last time but it just never is. Extremely harsh at all phases and does not go down smooth at all. If I had to compare it to something it would be to one of my mixers, which is 1/3 the price. Knob Creek is a no for me. I’ll stick with Elijah, buffalo trace, makers 46, hell even wild turkey 101 is better than this and that’s my budget sipper.
I think this is a great bourbon for casual consumption.For the price it’s quite a catch, I got the 1.75 ltr at Costco for under $40. Yes, it does lack the complexity of an Old Weller and the ilk, but it is remarkably smooth at 100 proof. I agree with the previous comment that the flavor seems to change week to week after opening the bottle. Notes of maple and vanilla, yet the smooth finish of a premium cognac. Not one for special friends/occasions, but a loyal standby for weekly sessions!
Thanks for sharing JDub. Cheers!
did a taste test with this, Elijah Craig 12 and evan williams SB vintage. compared to the heaven hill entries, i find the knob creek harsh and almost acid. the burn starts on the lips and continues down the gullet. maybe i am more used to heaven hill. also knob creek here is $35 on sale, while elijah craig is $24 and EV $23.
I’m with you… the overwhelming memory of each serving is BURN. and not in a good way like some others.
I agree completely. I was shocked to see this rated so highly. I do understand this is a 100 proof whiskey which has a bit of a bite, but I just find the KC 9yr to be overly harsh. The flavor is there, I just don’t see it as a smooth whiskey.
Love this one on the rocks, and it’s solid neat as well. At $36, I don’t buy it often (so many other good choices in the $15-$30 range), but it serves as the top shelf bourbon at a lot of restaurants, so…It is my go to “out to dinner” whiskey.
It’s one of my reliable favorites. It’s almost always in a bar, even the terrible ones.
You mention four roses. And speak of a $15-$30 range. Are there any Bourbons you can recommend in that range. at higher price point I always choose Michter’s.But Mostly because of age. I was wondering if you could make something comparative in the $15-$30 range
In the $15-$30 range my go-to’s are Wild Turkey 101 and Evan Williams Bonded.
Trying this for the first time tonight and loving it. I’m on my third two finger glass. (First two neat, last one with a splash of water). I really dig the slight sweetness up front, then the spice and vanilla. Even at 100 proof this stuff is smooth as silk. Priced right- easy to find. Guess I’ve found another staple to add to my collection.
Thanks for the reviews!
It’ a great value. With it around I really don’t have any reason to pick up any of the standard Beam line.
In photo you rate 87, but final rating following text of review you give 90.
Just an observation. Thanks. Solid review, as always.
Thanks Dolph!
This and Bulleit are the two bourbons I keep in the cabinet all the time. I love Knob Creek and I can find it here (Memphis) in the $28 range.
Well, it’s definitely Beam. It’s got Beaminess written all over it. The long finish stays up front in the palette. I imagine it’s good with grilled meats. I’ve only tried it neat so far, but I’m guessing it’s great in cocktails–balance out the corn and wood a little.
To be honest, it’s a little unfair that I had it side-by-side with Four Roses Single Barrel. They both have a sweet nose and are 100 proof, but the similarities end there.
Yeah that 4R SiB will easily beat it almost every time and you’re right about grilling. It’s a fantastic backyard BBQ bourbon.
This might be my new go-to bourbon for Manhattans. I generally prefer rye in Manhattans because my past criticism would be that bourbon is too sweet in this application. However, Knob Creek has changed my mind. When I got home from work today, I immediately mixed up a Knob Creek Manhattan, and I’ve found my drink (4:1, Knob Creek: sweet vermouth, plus two shakes each of Angostura and Peychauds). I followed that up with an Old Fashioned, which reminded me how much I love that boozy excuse for a cocktail.
Both of these went down a little too quickly.
Ha, I love it! Thanks for sharing :)
Jim Beam Black is my daily drinker bourbon. I enjoy Knob Creek and Bookers on the weekend. I love the layers of flavor in Knob Creek and the great long finish. It also evolves in flavor day to day sometimes,(probably my taste buds not the bourbon so much). I have enjoyed your reviews sir. Thank you.
Thank you! I experience the same thing where some days I can just tell things aren’t tasting quite the same which is why, if I can manage it, I always have 3 glasses of a whiskey over a period of a week or two before I write the review.
Cheers!
You write well. Knob Creek 100 small batch seems to do right by me; seems to have earthier flavor & undertones than many other ‘small batch’ offerings
Thanks Ray, cheers, and thanks for sharing!
That’s a great insight. I thought it might be a eccentricity of my taste that whiskeys someday’s taste quite different. Good to know someone else experiences it!
This is my son’s favorite so I bought some recently when he was coming to town. Nice, but I don’t like it quite as well as Elijah Craig 12…..
Thanks for the comment. Taste is a funny thing. I have a couple friends who can’t stand this and a few other that love it even more than I do. For my tastes we’re a bit flipped. I do like the EC12, but not quite as much as this.
Cheers!