BOTM 6/15: Knob Creek

[fishnbowljoe]

Well, I've finally come up with a BOTM. After a lot of time spent going over the BOTM archives, and a bit of deliberation, I came up with a BOTM that I think is somewhat befitting. As most of you know, Jim has been working on some major changes to SB. It's a very big step, and historically worth noting. In going over the BOTM archives, I saw that Knob Creek was the very first BOTM, done ten years ago this very month. :bigeyes: So, I thought KC would kinda fit as a look back at the history of SB. At the same time, it can also serve as marking a step going forward in the evolution of SB. :cool:

Below is what Jeff posted ten years ago.

Bourbon of the Month, June 2005:

Knob Creek

You've asked for it, and here it is, the first Straightbourbon.com bourbon of the month!

Post your comments, tasting notes and anecdotes here. This thread will stay pinned throughout the month of June, at which time another bourbon will be chosen for the follwing month...etc.

Sound off!

[flahute]

A fitting BOTM to mark this point in SB history. Good idea Joe.

I don't yet have a lot to say about this one. My first few tastes of it were in bars and I never thought much of it so I never purchased a bottle. After a recent eye opener with a different bourbon that I had always thought I didn't like, I decided to give KC a fair shake by bringing a bottle home and drinking it in a familiar environment. While it hasn't opened my eyes the way the other one did, it is certainly more enjoyable than I remember from those first tastes. Very Beamy, which is to be expected, so if I'm in the mood for that, it hits the spot more than on a typical day. I have a ways to go with this one and am glad to have the bottle for further "testing".

[Richnimrod]

I like KC very well; though it's not what I'd call a bargain in these parts. I always have at least one around. ...And, it's usually open, and I pour from it on occasion.

From Beam, I prefer Booker's, or even KC 120; but I hafta say, it's about as close to a frequent pour as anything I have..... Maybe behind OF Signature and EWSB. So, there you have it... I guess I do like it very well!

[TunnelTiger]

I find KC just ok but for few dollars more KCSB is just over the top delicious.

Apologies for semi thread jacking.

[fozzy71]

I think I have only had one bottle so far and that was some months back so I should probably try another. I almost grabbed one yesterday as a matter of fact but went for some cheaper bottles instead. I really want to try the SB too so maybe I will hit up the local whiskey bar and just try a side by side of each one night before I consider a full bottle of either.

[Thig]

I just happened to have bought a bottle earlier today, because I finished off my last bottle last week. I am not much on tasting notes but this is one of my favorites. Slightly sweet, nice burn, long finish, what more could I ask?

[Mr. Bourbon]

I've drank two bottles of KC and I first thought it was way to woody. I learned to appreciate it a bit more with the bottle open up.

the SB version is on a different level.

[Kyjd75]

My introduction to "quality" bourbon and to this day it is still one of my favorites. It, and it's slightly more potent sibling, Baker's, are two of my essential bourbons.

[Paddy]

My short on KC is that it's a dependable bourbon, still readily available, and at a fair price. In todays environment, that's saying a lot.

So, if you're a fan of the Beam profile (and I happen to be:grin:), KC is a easy drinking, old fashioned bourbon rye forward, balance of age and proof.

It's not flashy, but at 9 year of age and 100 proof, it doesn't have to be!

[squire]

I've always liked Knob Creek and cannot think of a more appropriate choice for this anniversary BOTM.

[fozzy71]

I find KC just ok but for few dollars more KCSB is just over the top delicious.

Apologies for semi thread jacking.

I've drank two bottles of KC and I first thought it was way to woody. I learned to appreciate it a bit more with the bottle open up.

the SB version is on a different level.

This thread, and these posts above, are likely going to cost me $100.....

[camduncan]

I love KC.... in fact it's in my top 3 bourbons available with some regularity here. I find it sweet, woody and doesn't have much alcohol burn on the finish despite the proof. Unfortunately at $89 a bottle here in Australia, this one is not on my shelf as often as I like.

[ratcheer]

I will buy a bottle of KC for a revisit. Years ago, it was one of my favorites.

Tim

[Flyfish]

KC used to be a "special occasions" pour for me. But my most recent purchase was two handles. (And two 750s of KCSB.) "Special occasions" seem to roll around more frequently now.

[bdrinker]

I opened my first bottle of KC 2 days ago. It recently won a gold medal at a competition somewhere so I thought I'd give it a try. As a first impression, I found it an ok sipping bourbon, but nothing special or out of the ordinary though. Kind of generic. As a small batch, 4RSmB is more interesting. WT101 is cheaper and on par with KC I think. Maybe as it aerates it will improve. Maybe not.

[jeff]

Damn, now I feel old ;-)

[shoshani]

I don't remember a time we *didn't* have a BOTM, but apparently we've only had one for a decade. I've been here slightly over half again as long, but it still feels like yesterday.

Knob Creek is probably my favorite Beam pour, and has been from the beginning of The Small Batch Collection. Every bottle pretty much hits the nail on the head.

[Harry in WashDC]

Damn, now I feel old ;-)

[ebo]

I'm a fan of KC..... it's a good, solid pour. I'm a bigger fan of KCSBR. :cool:

[Golzee]

I really can't say anything bad about KC, it has everything going for it. Solid age, proof, flavor, and price. It is a pour that never disappoints

[Tony Santana]

KC is one of the bourbons I always had on hand even when I wasn't nearly as heavily into bourbon as I've become. A solid, reliable pour (can usually be found in almost any bar, even those with less than stellar options). Sometimes it really hits the spot for me, other times it just strikes me as so-so. Of the Beam small batch collection I've come to prefer Booker's over roughly the last year, and like others have noted, the single barrel takes it up a notch (just had some Saturday night). But I'll never look down my nose at KC.

[BCRich2204]

A few days ago I found a liquor store I had never been in. I drive past it several times a week, but never noticed it. Hole in the wall is an understatement.

So I've learned that different stores carry different whiskeys & I made it a point to go to as many differ stores as I can to try more different brands. So, I stopped & went in.

They had Bulleit Bourbon which was a brand I had been looking for & couldn't find at any of the other stores I visited. They also had knob creek. I had always wanted to give it a taste... couldn't decide which to get, so I got them both.

I didn't get to the Knob Creek until the second day & honestly didn't care for it. Compared to the 1792 & Buffalo Trace I was drinking before I found the Knob Creek to be plain & uninteresting. The nose was bland & the pallet was bitter.

That was two days ago. Today, I tried it with a little ice. & let me tell you, it's like night & day. The nose was rich, round... hints of citrus & honey. The pallet is very interesting with strong cues of oranges & cinnamon & something else I can't quite place. Sweet, but not.

I like Knob Creek on ice. Right now, if I had to guess, I think this bottle will go empty before the Bulliet.

[PaulO]

A few thoughts about Knob Creek; a knob is another name for hill. Abraham Lincoln was born in Knob Creek, KY. I commend Beam for coming out with a 9 year old 100 proof brand, and keeping the price reasonable, and shelves stocked. I think KC could have been labeled as bonded, but isn't. A year or two ago they switched to a screw cap. People complained, and the cork returned. I'm a big fan of the single barrel.

[fozzy71]

This thread, and these posts above, are likely going to cost me $100.....

I called that one. I passed on these both last week and almost bought a pint from my corner store the other day but talked myself out of it.... but I stopped in a store I hadn't been in for a few months and they had both of these and I could resist no longer. At least I get to test out the new iphone 6's camera.

[shoshani]

I didn't get to the Knob Creek until the second day & honestly didn't care for it. Compared to the 1792 & Buffalo Trace I was drinking before I found the Knob Creek to be plain & uninteresting. The nose was bland & the pallet was bitter.

That was two days ago. Today, I tried it with a little ice. & let me tell you, it's like night & day. The nose was rich, round... hints of citrus & honey. The pallet is very interesting with strong cues of oranges & cinnamon & something else I can't quite place. Sweet, but not.

Very often, when you first open a bottle of whiskey it will taste flat, but a day or two later it will have opened up quite a bit with oxidation. Letting a little air into the bottle does more wonders for it than one might think.