
This is Knob Creek Single Barrel 9yo. Purchased at Midtown Corkdorks in downtown Nashville about a mile from the Nelson Greenbrier distillery (Belle Meade). Barrel #3422 "hand selected" by the retailer, and they even provided a cool little map of where in the warehouse the barrel was located.
Warehouse: E Floor:5 Rick: Cove Barreled: March 15, 2008
Good marketing on their part. What are your thoughts on how much difference the location of the barrel in the warehouse makes?
Bottle has been opened for 5 days and is 90% full.
Nose: Starts with fruits. Apples, vanilla. Transitions to earthy tobacco, salted "country style ham" and slight bits of smoke and sawdust. Good balance and transition from sweet to savory.
Palate: First impressions to myself, and I quote my thoughts, "This is like licking a fresh oak plank thats been covered in butter and toasted." After further examination: Yes, the front end is like buttered, toasted oak. Also get southern style biscuits and a bit of smoke. This transitions to ripe stewed fruits. Red apple, rasberry and blackberry. The traditional bourbony caramel and vanilla are present here with the stewed fruits. There is a tad bit of spicy heat that adds yet another element here. Complex and impressive.
Finish: A long, see-saw battle of fresh oak and red apple skins lasting minutes later. Very enjoyable.
Overall: I'm impressed by this. Complex, great flavor transitions and balance. I did add water to a small pour but it doesn't do any favors so keep this one neat. This isnt a casual drinker. Savor and inspect this one and give it the time it derserves. Very drinkable at 60%. I have now spanned all of the Knob Creek line-up and this by far and away is the best of the bunch, as expected. I am enjoying this just as much or more as this year's Stagg Jr. At $41.99+tax this is a bargain!
@OdysseusUnbound this was a store pick. The retailer went to the warehouse and sampled different barrels and selected a specific one then was kind enough to relay that info to the consumer. Not all KCSB will have that info.
Nice review. I am very jealous. My bottle is, thus far, less impressive. My KCSB is sitting in the back of my cabinet, 7/8 full, because it's mediocre. Not bad, by any means. Just very "meh". Hopefully it gets better with time. Perhaps the best barrels are sold in 'Merica, whilst we Canuckistanians get the duds. How did you get the warehouse location and such? My bottle did not have any of that information, and I'm a total nerd for information.