Knob Creek Rye Review [In Depth]
Knob Creek Straight Rye
Distillery: Jim Beam
Type & Region: Rye, Kentucky, USA
Alcohol: 50%
Composition: Unknown, but at least 51% rye
Aged: NAS
Color: 1.2/2.0 on the color scale (chestnut, oloroso sherry)
Price: $25-35
From the Knob Creek website:
“We select the highest-quality rye to create the World’s Best Rye 2016 IWSC. (2016 International Wine and Spirits Competition Best Rye Worldwide Whiskey)”
knob creek rye overview
Not much needs to be said about Knob Creek Rye. It’s a widely available and relatively affordable rye whiskey from Jim Beam, one of the largest American whiskey distilleries also known for Basil Hayden, Baker’s, Knob Creek Bourbon, and Booker’s. Knob Creek Rye is also one of four Jim Beam rye whiskeys, including Jim Beam Rye, Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye, and Booker’s Rye (good luck finding that one though).
As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything (they’re the best): Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass Set of 6, Set of 4, Set of 2, or just one. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
knob creek rye smell
For a lack of a better description, Knob Creek Rye smells like a rye whiskey, with honey, licorice, anise, roasted oak, musty caraway seed and grains, dried citrus, and a little pear. It smells like it is on the younger side, maybe 4-5 years old, but even then, the 100 proof is well controlled.
knob creek rye taste & aftertaste
Knob Creek Rye starts off with honey, licorice, anise, earthy fennel and caraway seed, oak tannins, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, citrus, and pear, with absolutely no Jim Beam nuttiness. It has all the usual rye flavors and not much bite, just like with the nose.
Knob Creek Rye straddles the area between the Whistlepig 10 Year Single Barrel licorice bomb, the very tropical Sagamore Spirit Rye, and the lemon-forward Willett Rye.
Knob Creek Rye Rating
Drinking Knob Creek Rye again reminds me that this is still a solid, well-crafted, and enjoyable rye whiskey. It has a great balance of sweet, herbal, fruit, oak, earthiness, and spice, although I wouldn’t say that there’s any standout trait, as the proof and/or maturity (mostly the maturity) dull some of the scents and flavors.
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