Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 9 Year Old
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Review by @Megawatt
- Nose24
- Taste23
- Finish24
- Balance23
- Overall94
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Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Knob Creek
- Type: American
- ABV: 60%
Knob Creek was the first whiskey I really took a shine to, so I was excited at the prospect of a new version. This single-barrel expression is also aged 9 years and bottled at 120 proof.
After adding some water I put my nose up to the glass, trying to pick out specific aromas from the general "bourbon smell". The first impression I got, strangely, is of a musty cellar. Deeper in the glass there are sweet spices and that old smokey leather smell. Very rich, deep, expressive. Hot and oily. After a few minutes in the glass some lighter floral notes start to develop. Becomes sweeter and less musty. Very nice.
It prickles the tongue with cinnamon heart flavour, then that earthy/vegetal note that made me think of cellars. Robust and mouth-coating. Nice development from spicy to sweet to oaky. The finish is incredibly long and maintains all the flavours, leaving a lasting impression.
Overall I'm thrilled with this whiskey. It is fun to sip at full strength and feel the burn but it really shines after a bit of water is added. Tastes a touch more refined than the Small Batch version to me.
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I've always enjoyed the standard KC 9 yo as a nice sipper at a restaurant (not too complicated, but a pleasing profile that is smooth and sweet, but not boring) when I have been in the US.
I'm crossing fingers that the Ontario inventory of the KCSB holds out until I can pick up a bottle in the near-ish future.