Knob Creek…one good whiskey. I had it with water and I must say that it is better served straight on the rocks. The water masked the full flavor of the whiskey and it tasted flat. Knob is a smooth enough whiskey not to have to mix it with anything to take off the edge.
This brings me to a important factor in drinking whiskey: the mix. It is
crucial that you have an experienced and knowledgeable bartender to mix a fine whiskey with anything. If the mixture is correct the full flavor will brought out in the drink. On the other hand, if you have a bartender who commonly mixes other drinks with the sole purpose of seeing how much liquor can be added to a mixture, the whiskey will turn out all wrong and the experience of a good high end whiskey will have been ruined due to the inexperience of the bartender.
I believe that was a major part of the problem with my Knob and water yesterday evening. Even with the wrong mixtures, Knob is still a very fine whiskey and I would recommend it to anyone looking to expand there whiskey experiences beyond the Jim, Jack and SoCo standards. It is a step up in quality so be prepared to take a step up in price both in the bar and at the store. The extra coin is well worth it in my opinion. On this particular evening I was enjoying a Knob and water when the atmosphere was suddenly picked up by a couple of older gentlemen who came driving up to the bar; one was driving a completely refurbished 1962 Corvette and the other a restored 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk with a rebuilt engine that would make the old Chevy 454 cry like a baby. If the Knob and water wasn’t enough, the addition of two classic automobiles to the scene at the bar was enough to make the evening a success in my book. Its not everyday that you get to enjoy a fine whiskey while checking out two classic cars. Turns out the two older gentlemen were also quite the comedians and kept the bar going for quite some time with their material. I feel obligated to share one of the jokes with you at this time.
Older Gentleman #1: Have you ever heard of a carnival woman?
Older Gentleman #2: No, what is that. *As he wipes off his face* The kind of woman who sits on your face so you can guess her weight.
While the Knob and water was not the best I had ever had, the rest of the
evening made up for it and all is well that goes down as smooth. It if is whiskey too, all the better. I give Knob Creek a 90 on a 100 point scale. It is a must have in my regular rotation.
FYI: 100 Proof
I just finished off my bottle of Knob Creek the other night. I mixed it with some eggnog and it was pretty tasty.
I love Knob Creek. I traveled to NYC about a year ago and asked the bartender for some Knob Creek and he gave me this “What the hell is that?” kind of look. At least they had some Makers handy.
You know, I too finished off my Knob with eggnog (normally mix only with light ice), and I really enjoyed it! That was Christmas Eve. Guess what was waiting under the tree? Yeah… I was a good boy last year.
Tyler, I ran into the same quizzical look at a nice restaurant. “Knob Creek? What’s that?” So I ordered a Maker’s Mark for the first time. Didn’t like.
This is my go to Whiskey! The one I will order when in a club, or want a drink from my bar. It is, simply put, my house spirit. So because of this forgive me if I gush a little. The distillers at Knob Creek have found their way into my heart and they satisfy my soul. Not bad for a Beam product.
What! A product from Jim Beam, the mega distillery…but Knob Creek is small batch, and kitchey, and increases my cool factor at parties…still its Beam. Hey, lets face it Beam knows how to make whiskey, so why then could they not make a great whiskey. Short answer…they can, and they have, and its name is Knob Creek.
Knob Creekis made at the Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. It is a small batch Bourbon Whiskey and it is 100 proof. That’s right 50% alcohol by volume. Funny thing is that by aging it 9 years it mellows to the point that its smooth finish and fruity undertones have mellowed what might otherwise be a harsh experience. The first thing I noticed when I poured it was its unmistakeable aroma. It has a heavy nose neat, and smells of oak and cherries, with an undertone of currents. Its taste is as complex and wonderful.
So you know the drill, lets review the whiskey 3 ways Neat, On the Rocks, and With a Splash.
Neat
This whiskey has a wonderful aroma and that character is evident when you drink it neat. The whiskey hits the palate sweet at first with the flavor of cherries and current, then with a little smoke and oakiness, finally a long slow burn that intensifies on the back side like a hurricane storm surge.
There is an intense burn but it is so smooth the overwhelming feeling of pleasure blocks any pain caused by the smoldering heat of the afterburn. This whiskey definately drinks neat!
On the Rocks
Knob Creek holds up very well to ice. It still has a nice aroma, although it is tamed somewhat. It drinks very smooth and looses some of its burn, but still has nice heat on the backside, although it is cooled somewhat by the ice. Although its qualities are subdued on the rocks the overall structure of the whiskey is in tact and very enjoyable.
With a Splash
I don’t know if it is the 100 proof, the 9 years aging, or just the mix of the mash that gives this whiskey its structure, but it holds up very well to water. Recall that in a previous post Makers Mark, another Kentucky small batch bourbon lost all its structure when water was added, nothing could be farther from the truth for Knob Creek. Not only does it hold up, but I actually order it with a splash when I’m out in a club to make the drinks last a little longer and take me further into the night. This whiskey can take it and still have great flavor and even some pretty fair aroma to add to the drinkers enjoyment.
Conclusion
Drink this whiskey! Any way you can, neat, rocks,or with a splash, just do me one favor… never mix it. It doesn’t deserve that.
On the go in a flask at the game, or on the rocks sipping by the poolside, or with a splash in the club this whiskey should be on everyone’s radar. And at the modest price of between $25 and $30 for a fifth it is a good whiskey to keep stocked at home for your drinking pleasure. Enjoy.
-Don
This is by far the best whiskey i have ever had. The flavor of this is simply amazing! I enjoy it straight very much but i found if you mix it with coke it makes an unbeleivable drink. The Sweet taste of the whiskey blends so nicely with coke. If you have any knob creek and coke i strongly recommend it. Make sure to ice it too haha
I’m not sure why Don exhorts us not to mix it.
I’ve had a taste for Beer for about 5 years now, and I have the belly to prove it. As I’m on a diet, I have been used to drinking diet Coke.
Well, the other night I decided to pick up some Knob Creek and I always like to cut my whiskey. I cut my teeth on Jack & Coke, and then went on to Green Label Jack and Ginger… but I have never had such an elegant experience as Knob Creek and Diet Coke.
I have to say, it is my far the BEST mixed drink I have ever had. And at only 69 calories a drink, I’m well below what even the lightest of beers could offer, and with so much more taste.
I recommend taking Knob Creek anyway you prefer… it will be the highest whiskey on your list from then on.
Cheers!
(From my back porch in Johns Creek Georgia)
KC is the best bourbon I’ve had, bar none.
I recommend about a shot and a half (maybe three-quarters) in a lowball glass full of ice (not necessarily crushed, but fairly small cubes, enough to PACK the glass) and sparkling water, well stirred.
Re. the water, my favorites are LaCroix and Mendota Springs. Haven’t tried Perrier, but it’s probably acceptable as well.
If you want a second drink, use Classic Coke instead of LaCroix, etc. (Regular or Diet Pepsi would work as well. Maybe Diet Coke would too; I just don’t like the stuff).
But remember that this magnificent bourbon is very powerful indeed. So don’t imbibe too much and make sure that you aren’t consuming it on an empty stomach:) –
KC is the best bourbon I’ve had, bar none.
I recommend about a shot and a half (maybe three-quarters) in a lowball glass full of ice (not necessarily crushed, but fairly small cubes, enough to PACK the glass) and sparkling water, well stirred.
Re. the water, my favorites are LaCroix and Mendota Springs. Haven’t tried Perrier, but it’s probably acceptable as well.
If you want a second drink, use Classic Coke instead of LaCroix, etc. (Regular or Diet Pepsi would work as well. Maybe Diet Coke would too; I just don’t like the stuff).
But remember that this magnificent bourbon is very powerful indeed. So don’t imbibe too much and make sure that you aren’t consuming it on an empty stomach:) –
I don’t know why my posting was copied. My apologies, everybody:) –
AAAHHHH yes, Knob Creek, that rich experience. Not enough could be said about this most pleasurable bourbon. Nothing compares to the upcoming winter months than having my wife and Knob Creek by the fire as it snows out.
You folks are correct! Knob Creek is a fantastic bourbon whether mixed, splashed, or sipped neat. I enjoy it whenever I can…
Knob creek is an excellent bourbon and certainly the best of beam’s small batch collection. It is my drink of choice and most decent bars stock it..though not all restaurants (here in nyc).
Recommended straight or over rocks.
Disclosure: beam was the first liquor i ever drank so i may be a bit biased…but kc is nothing like beam imho
Knob Creek is a premium bourbon that impresses me. Very powerful at 100 proof, so a word of caution when drinking this. It will hit you hard very quickly.
With respect to the post, excellent tasting note. To my mind, it is a supersized Jim Beam Black on steroids!
Cheers!
Knob Creek has inspired some fine literature…as well as my latest offering…
Great bourbon. I enjoy this when I want to stray from Islay scotch. I prefer it neat.
On the nose it is sweet and somewhat hot (50%abv). I get oak, charcoal, dark chocolate, cherry with some smoke.
the palate is somewhat oily and round. black licorice and chocolate covered cherries. Maple syrup and fresh tar on telephone poles make for a complex bourbon.
The finish is very long. I do not enjoy black licorice, but is very prominent and enjoyable here. Sweet oak with spicy toffee.
A few years ago I took a bottle of Knob to introduce a friend in Spain to bourbon. Big mistake. he fell in love with it and its hard to find there. He has since been going over the fence to Makers M. Not a bad trip.
Two Holiday seasons ago a very good friend gifted a bottle of KC. I was hooked from the first sip! I am probably somewhat of a heretic but I drick mine in a tall glass with ice and club soda… One after 5 (maybe two) and I am having a very good day.
For me on the rocks. Excellent.
Mother’s Milk
I love Knob and it is my go to small batch.Although i love Bookers the cost keeps me from enjoying it as offen as say KC. Knob is best neat or on the rocks (light) to me never mixed. If i want to mix i use bottom shelf never top but thats just me.Being a small batch company of Beam and me loving Bookers, KC is like its lil brother and it rocks!
Sometime ago I was in A liquor store and noticed A huge oak barrel used to display bottles of Knob Creek,I passed it up several times never trying it before,but them bottles caught my eye every time.Some time had passed and my B-Day arrived to which I then was handed A heavy bag from my girlfriend and found inside A huge bottle of Knob Creek,and am proud to say it will remain my brand.
Knob creek is spicey with just the right amount of sweet. Straight it is just perfect. Maker’s Mark is no comparison: too sweet and not enough spice! I hated bourbon until Knob Creek and Woodford. It is my goto Bourbon! Love it.
Was introduced to KC on a blustery -25 C day in Lake Louise by some American Ski-Bums from Boseman MT. Goes down great after a day of ski-touring in sub-zero temps! Found this bourbon to be smooth, complex, delicious and firey. cheers!
I thought, “Makers Mark” was a great bourbon? What a joy to find, “Knob Creek”
I don’t like to mix bourbon with anything but a splash of soda or water. The heck with that, I have found a wonderful bourbon to sip. On the rocks is my preference, but I do like to pour into a brandy snifter and just breathe in the aroma. Smells great!!!!
Got my first bottle of this fine Bourbon in Japan (live there) based on a fleeting mention by @Ambercadabra on Twitter. Indeed, on my palate it rates among the few Whiskeys I like, but takes a back seat to splendid rums like Pampero Aniversario or the fabled Zacapa Centenario 23.
I’ve always been a Jim Beam guy. I think next time I need a new bottle I’ll try KC. Hope you guys aren’t steering me wrong.