This evaluation of Knob Creek Bourbon Aged 18 Years was initially printed in January 2023, and up to date in January 2025.
The Historical past Of Knob Creek Bourbon
I believe it’s protected to say for most individuals the times of following of their mother and father’ footsteps are over. Not so within the Noe household, descendants of the Beam line with an extended historical past of distilling. That isn’t to say they haven’t every cast their very own path within the trade. Right now I have a look at the historical past of the James B. Beam Distilling Firm and the restricted version Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 18 Years.
Knob Creek was began as a premium small batch bourbon model by then Grasp Distiller Frederick “Booker” Noe II. Knob Creek is distilled at James B. Beam Distilling Firm. Beam Distilling is owned by Suntory World Spirits, which additionally owns many different manufacturers, together with whiskeys from not less than six nations and lots of different forms of spirits past that.
Knob Creek was launched to the Beam Distilling lineup in 1992, and celebrated 30 years in 2022 with the discharge of Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 18 Years. Whereas labeled as a restricted version launch, they do give it a batch variety of KC001, suggesting we might even see extra releases of 18 yr previous bourbon from them sooner or later.
About The Beam Household
The historical past of the Jim Beam household is one in every of distilling, courting again to the 1780s when Jacob Beam moved to Kentucky along with his wood nonetheless. The following two generations contributed to the expansion of the enterprise till prohibition hit. The enterprise was constructed again up by James B. Beam (Jim Beam) after prohibition, the place he recreated the yeast strains which can be nonetheless used at this time.
Booker Noe II grew the model with the addition of a number of small batch whiskeys, and with the assistance of Fredrick “Fred” Booker Noe III introduced the manufacturers to the world. Booker Noe III is the present grasp distiller, with Fredrick “Freddie” Booker Noe IV working as a distiller as nicely.
Whereas I’m not the most important fan of Jim Beam’s standard-release bourbon, I can’t argue their household is aware of distill. Many wonderful merchandise come from their distillery. So is that this new restricted version a winner? I discover it to be a worthwhile addition to the Knob Creek lineup, although it’s but to be seen if it’s going to turn into a normal or not.
Tasting Notes: Knob Creek Bourbon Aged 18 Years
Important Stats: 50% ABV. Launch quantity KC001.
Look: This has a beautiful copper hue to it. It leaves a pleasant skinny coat on the glass that types lengthy skinny legs.
Nostril: Heavy spice on the nostril, black pepper, and cinnamon. Hints of vanilla and caramel with a nondescript fruity high quality, type of like fruit cake. Can actually odor the alcohol content material of this as nicely.
Palate: That is fairly sizzling up entrance and I don’t get a lot of any taste at first. It then transitions to a leather-based and pepper style with a vanilla extract notice behind it. End has a type of menthol high quality to it, a little bit of mint and a cooling tingle. This fades leaving me with the style of damp oak and cinnamon. A little bit of water opens this as much as a whole lot of what I bought on the nostril. Way more spice and dried fruit comes by way of to affix the leather-based and pepper from earlier than. The end stays just about the identical, only a bit extra mellow.
