Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve

[Alden]

120 proof. Looks interesting... my local shop just got some in.

What is your opinion? Yay, or Nay?

[WAINWRIGHT]

Basically it all falls back on the fact if you enjoy the traditional Beam profile.I myself am not a huge Beam fan but still enjoy the KCSB,but be forewarned that all barrels will differ slightly,if you like Booker's you will enjoy it especially@$10 less.I have found the profiles to be very similar in the ones I've had in the past,but some have been over hot and dry versus others also.I would take Bakers any day over the KCSB for the same money and is still my favorite in the Beam's stable.I find the Bakers to be the most balanced,nuanced of the Small Batch offerings if you haven't tried it don't right it off so soon and give it a whirl.

[squire]

I would also pick Bakers over Knob but since you haven't experienced Knob SB and it costs considerably less than a comparable single malt then go for it.

[bad_scientist]

Basically it all falls back on the fact if you enjoy the traditional Beam profile.I myself am not a huge Beam fan but still enjoy the KCSB,but be forewarned that all barrels will differ slightly,if you like Booker's you will enjoy it especially@$10 less.I have found the profiles to be very similar in the ones I've had in the past,but some have been over hot and dry versus others also.I would take Bakers any day over the KCSB for the same money and is still my favorite in the Beam's stable.I find the Bakers to be the most balanced,nuanced of the Small Batch offerings if you haven't tried it don't right it off so soon and give it a whirl.

I'd like to second that point about barrel variation. I've bought several KCSB - I don't like the Beam profile but for some reason enjoy KC - and while some have been delicious, the last one I got was, like Wainwright described, hot and dry, and mighty unpleasant. I think that going with retail selections is a safe bet.

[Yeti]

I find the Bakers to be the most balanced,nuanced of the Small Batch offerings.

Mark this down as another instance of our tastes aligning. Baker's is my favorite Beam offering, but I also really enjoy Booker's and KC/KCSB. Definitely give any of these a try if you're inclined, Alden.

[GaryT]

Hmm . . . came to a KCSB forum only to learn that I need to try Bakers :grin: I'm a fan of Bookers, and have also enjoyed a KCSB, but not sure I've ever tried Bakers for whatever reason. Actually . . . I think I did try Bakers at the distillery, but the tasting mist they provide wasn't sufficient to form a real opinion

[Alden]

A friend from another forum just advised me to get the regular KC instead of the SB version.

He said he likes it better.

[squire]

While I always appreciate first hand opinions I do my own tasting.

[Alden]

While I always appreciate first hand opinions I do my own tasting.

I would buy both if I had the wallet for it.

[GaryT]

I would buy both if I had the wallet for it.

I bought a bottle of KCSB when it came out and thought it was decent, but when I did a side by side with a mini of KC - I thought the difference didn't merit the extra coin. Unfortunately, I haven't seen the KCSB in 50 ml - but you can get KC in that size. I'd try to find that and see what you think. If you like higher proof, I thought the KCSB was just a bit higher proof KC. Again - not bad, but I didn't think it was worth the premium over KC.

[squire]

Those 50 mil bottles are a good idea, I remember when Rare Breed first came out they included a 50 mil as a gift when you bought a 750 bottle.

[Alden]

Im not a huge fan of super high proof. Wild turkey 101 is just about perfect to me. I think the regular KC is 100 proof, right.

I have a feeling that my be better for my taste buds.

[squire]

Yes, 9 years and 100 proof, just about an ideal combination.

[T Comp]

Im not a huge fan of super high proof. Wild turkey 101 is just about perfect to me. I think the regular KC is 100 proof, right.

I have a feeling that my be better for my taste buds.

I personally much prefer the KC single barrel reserve at least the ones that have been picked by Binny's. As to cost I'm still adding water to bring the 120 proof down to 100 proof so close to the same price. Here's a blog post by Chuck Cowdery in 2011 on why single barrel is often better.

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-like-single-barrel-bourbons-heres.html

[GaryT]

Those 50 mil bottles are a good idea, I remember when Rare Breed first came out they included a 50 mil as a gift when you bought a 750 bottle.

I've got a 50 mL of Rare Breed. I love that size, as it provides enough for 2 or 3 tastings if I'm undecided (or if I like it, but don't see myself drinking it often enough to want a 750).

[boneuphtoner]

Recently did a head-to-head of KCSB and Bookers. Bookers has been one of the better pours I've ever tried, and I just recently picked up a KCSB. These are similar, but I think the Bookers is a bit more refined and better integrated. I also found the KCSB a bit hot, which is interesting since it is lesser proof than the Bookers. I think Bookers is worth the extra $$$.

[bad_scientist]

I personally much prefer the KC single barrel reserve at least the ones that have been picked by Binny's. As to cost I'm still adding water to bring the 120 proof down to 100 proof so close to the same price. Here's a blog post by Chuck Cowdery in 2011 on why single barrel is often better.

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-like-single-barrel-bourbons-heres.html

TComp, you've been quite open about the Binny's KCSB picks. Do you still have a clear favorite? In general, do you think the picks are pretty good, better than the off-the-shelf stuff? Personally, I liked the TPS picks much better than the random bottles I've purchased, but I haven't tried any others.

[HighHorse]

Our Tallahassee Barrel Team picks for Market Square Liquors along with the owner and one or two of their top employees. I have been with them on picks in April of 2012 and also this past April. When we arrive they have selected 9 barrels for us to choose from. Each time we have found outstanding barrels - two last year and four this year. These barrels are most certainly superior offerings as our team of 8 or 9 experienced tasters are in unanimous agreement. Of course if you then take the six we have picked and line them up in a blind tasting - essentially what we do when we pick them - you will rank them. So, sure, some single barrels are better than others .. but ALL are outstanding. Customers confirm our picks and they move off the shelves pretty quick.

It makes sense that the TPS or Binny's picks would also be outstanding. Beam has some mighty good KC aging in those warehouses and I'm glad they offer us the single barrel shelf 120 proof juice and thrilled that they allow private selections. If you're not in the everything-Beam-has-some-alien-taste camp - (I'm not), then you'll probably be happy with any of your choices.

[BourbonJoe]

If you're not in the everything-Beam-has-some-alien-taste camp - (I'm not), then you'll probably be happy with any of your choices.

I gotta tell ya Jon that I think most beam products have what I call a funky yeast taste......but I'm willing and looking forward to trying your KC picks. I'll be sure to pick some up this winter when I come over to Tallahassee.

Joe :usflag:

[Lazer]

I had a bottle of it in 2011 and I loved it. Much better than the regular KC in my opinion. Yes, its the same basic profile as the regular, but the SB ticks all the boxes, rings all the bells, fires on all cylinders gives you a better bang for your buck. I've got another bottle in the bunker, looking forward to opening that one.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Lazer

[HighHorse]

I gotta tell ya Jon that I think most beam products have what I call a funky yeast taste......but I'm willing and looking forward to trying your KC picks. I'll be sure to pick some up this winter when I come over to Tallahassee.

Joe :usflag:

Thanks, Joe. I actually believe that folks who talk about the funky taste in Beam are actually tasting it. It goes back to the fact that some people are able to taste a lot more than others (me). I'm kinda glad I can't pick up all of those nuances. But the good news is .. that when you get over here .. you can drink all you want from my bottle with no investment!

[squire]

Ok, let me fuel up the Jeep.

[HighHorse]

Ok, let me fuel up the Jeep.

Come on down, Squire ... three of us have jeeps ... you'll be right at home!

[T Comp]

TComp, you've been quite open about the Binny's KCSB picks. Do you still have a clear favorite? In general, do you think the picks are pretty good, better than the off-the-shelf stuff? Personally, I liked the TPS picks much better than the random bottles I've purchased, but I haven't tried any others.

No favorite on the three SB reserves I've bought. All from Binny's, all different barrels and all real good picks. I've turned into a bad scientist with regards to drinking whiskey now with no kept notes, logs or spread sheets other than what I post. The Beam funk (for me an off peanut oil taste) does make even KC something that I don't drink all the time or for the length of an evening but the Binny's SBs have less. KC is also our preferred whiskey for the bride's once a week Old Fashioned or my Manhattan...which reminds me I need to purchase another as I have been out for about a month...with Barton or Ritt pinch hitting :grin:.

[JPBoston]

Call me weird, but KC is one of my very top favorites. Not sure why it doesn't get more love here, but oh well.

Back on topic; I recently polished off a KC:SB and enjoyed it, but I prefer the standard version.