Tasting Notes: Knob Creek Bourbon Review

Bottled at 100-Proof, this Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a bit more intense than the standard 80-Proof bourbon. Produced by the Jim Beam distillery, Knob Creek’s job is to raise itself to a higher standard of bourbon compared to the Jim Beam line of products.

Smell: Huge sugars, muted scents with big alcohol nose–this is the closest thing to alcohol candy that you’ll find! Subtle oaks do not overwhelm the nose.

Taste: Smooth with great viscosity and a full-bodied flavor which is dominated by potent alcohols. While there is a bit of oak in the finish, the overall spirit is distracted by its fire.

Cost: This product commands a higher price than the Jim Beam product, it seems… almost double the cost. You’ll probably find it for anywhere from USD $25.00 to USD $30 compared to the USD $12 to USD $20 of the Jim Beam. This is a big boy whiskey, requiring you to understand its 100-Proof personality to respect its overall cost.

Combined Rating:

  • Smell: 3.0/5.0
  • Taste: 3.0/5.0
  • Cost: 3.0/5.0
  • End Score: 3.0/5.0

Summary: Overall, this is an intense spirit that commands a fairly high cost for the fairly basic complexity. While the nose is sweet but brings intense burn to the nasal passages yet maintains a very mature smoothness that’s hard to beat. Compared to Jim Beam or the quality of that standard of whiskey, this is above par in smoothness but does that make it the best on the market? Not exactly. Overall, Knob Creek is more potent than personality.

Watch our Whiskey Blind Tasting Now.

February 28, 2010 by Derrick Schommer
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Filed Under: Bourbon Whiskey, Tasting Notes, blog

  • http://alcoholsbyvolume.com/2010/02/28/tasting-note-woodford-reserve-review/ Tasting Note: Woodford Reserve Review | Alcohols By Volume (ABV)

    [...] Not as potent as the Knob Creek bourbon but similar in overall qualities. While it doesn’t bring a ton of burn it also [...]

  • salttl1000r

    OK, it's 100proof. However, taken on the rocks (as suggested by Beam Distillery) and a small splash of club soda or water (which is usually needed to bring out the body of any economically priced bourbon) and this bourbon becomes a very easy sipping and flavorful drink with the alcohol burn being minimal. Knob Creek has become a favorite of mine due to its sweetness, dark color, stout oakness and smoothness. I enjoy sipping my corn. Great Website!

  • http://everydaydrinkers.tv Derrick Schommer

    Yes, you can dim down the potency by dispersing it in waters, sodas, juices, etc. Definitely and not a bad use for it. But, straight on straight it's simply too much to pay for if you're looking to sip a bourbon (which I enjoy doing from time to time).

    Now, it's also important to note that I know people and have heard from people writing in to our shows that LOVE a potent burning spirit when sipping. So, there has to be something for everyone.

  • Wpm124

    the 40% abv bourbon is just watered down bourbon, not better bourbon. All bourbon comes out of the barrel at high proof. Having it at 50% just gives you more for your money. you can water down at home and make it 40% if that is your abv of choice.

  • http://everydaydrinkers.tv Derrick Schommer

    Yeah, but I don't have the equipment to know when I hit 40% ABV :)

  • Kcreek

    Add 3ml water per oz of 50% ABV bourbon… not that hard.

  • Clay

    don't water it down. Just sip with ice…so nice

  • DrRingo

    This is the bourbon that made fall in love with bourbon again. I am usually a rye drinker, scotch from time to time, but I found my palate is not refined enough for scotch. KC has just enough alcohol to bring out big flavors for me and my poor pipe smokers tongue, add a little water and it starts to explode. KC Manhattan with a good vermouth is fantastic.

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