Knob Creek: Yay or nay?

[Eggman]

Howdy,

I've been drinking Bourbon for less than a year now. I began with JBB and now it's my favorite. I'm not really as enthusiastic or experienced with Bourbon as most of you.

My bourbon consumption is done 85% of the time as a nightcap with 2 oz. of JBB or JBW in a small glass of Diet Coke. BTW, i drink Diet Coke all day!

I've also experimented with WT101 and liked it, but decided to sample a pricer Bourbon: Knob Creek. I'm disappointed with KC.

After going through most of a bottle ( 2 oz. w/ Diet Coke & ice), I've got to say that KC just isn't to my taste. The "nose" for JBW gives me corn flakes, some caramel..and Listerine. JBB: Char, corn flakes and some Licorice.

But with KC, I just can't get a read out of the bottle, nose-wise. Consumed in Diet Coke, KC just doesn't seem to pull it's weight-for the money. Anyone else?

I understand that KC is popular, but I wonder if I'm alone in failing to be impressed with KC. I vote "Nay". YMMV.

Eggman

[fishnbowljoe]

Yay! I Like it. When I want a good stiff bourbon and Coke, KC is what I have. I like it so much, I have enough bunkered away to last me quite a while. Joe

[ratcheer]

KC in not in my favorites list, but I like it just fine. It is a good, solid bourbon with loads of flavor. That said, I haven't bought any in several years, either.

Tim

[ILLfarmboy]

My sentiments mirror Tim's. I don't keep any at the house but I do occasionally have some at a restaurant or bar. I've never mixed it with Coke. I'm not a bourbon and Coke drinker. Incidentally, I'm a die-hard diet Coke drinker too. I like the occasional JD and Coke, but never with diet, it has to be regular. I've even tried Coke Zero, but it just doesn't taste right to me.

[chilidawg7]

I enjoy Knob Creek when out at a bar, mixed with Cola, or perhaps tailgating in the fall. It's not one of my favorite, go-to pours, but I don't turn it down, if offered.

[callmeox]

My scotch drinking friend keeps KC around for when non malt drinkers (like me) stop by. I enjoy it straight, on the rocks and mixed with cola, though I don't have a bottle of it around the house. My brother-in-law used to give me a bottle of it for christmas every year and this year he changed up and gave me some Blanton's.

[ratcheer]

My brother-in-law used to give me a bottle of it for christmas every year and this year he changed up and gave me some Blanton's.

Nice change. :yum: Blanton's is one of my top favorites.

Tim

[mgilbertva]

Nay. I only drink KC if there's nothing else available, or if the other choice is reduced to JB White or JD. But if it comes to spending $25-$30+ for a new bottle there are so many better choices out there.

[dcb]

I like it OK, but I don't plan on ever buying another bottle, considering what else can be had for the same price or less.

[jburlowski]

Yay but not at the premium price... Like others I'll drink it when out and it's the best available. But when it comes to buying a bottle: there are many better values available.

[OscarV]

Yeah, I'm with John B on this.

Dining out I will have a KC after dinner if that is the best they offer.

But that's it, I have been through 2 bottles and no more is necessary.

[gothbat]

Like most here, I'm not a big fan of this one either. It's not bad, I've bought it twice, but now I pretty much only drink it if I'm in a bar and it's the best they've got.

[drunkenjayhawk]

My bottle of KC sees visits from me only rarely anymore, just so much outhere anymore. All in all not a bad bourbon just not an outstanding one either.

[PhilsFan]

KC is okay, but I like Very Old Barton 100 BIB much better... and it costs much less than KC.

-Joe

[OldJack]

Eggman,

Like you, I'm sort of new to bourbon. I just tried KC for the first time over the holiday weekend. I quite enjoyed it on the rocks and I made a well-balanced "perfect" Manhattan which I sipped poolside with a nice murado cigar. It was a lovely way to watch the sun go down.

That said, I much prefer Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, Weller Antique, and WT101- all of which are less expensive in my area.

In other words, I won't be buying KC, but I'll gladly take a free pour any chance I get.

[Schpyder]

I'm with most of the rest on this. KC was my introduction to "good" bourbon, several years back, and I appreciate it for that. But compared to most of the other stuff I've picked up since, it really can't compare on a value or flavor basis, as far as I'm concerned. It's better than the cheaper stuff Beam makes, I guess, but not better than cheaper stuff a lot of other distilleries produce. And certainly not up to things in its general price range.

[SBOmarc]

Yay. For me it is a question of numbers. 9 yrs old, a higher proof and in these parts near or at the $20 mark.

I have no complaints when I offer it to visitors and enjoy it very much.

[TNbourbon]

...near or at the $20 mark...

I keep seeing that. For God's sake, stop it! It's never less than $30 here, and more like $32, then tax!:frown:

[Luna56]

Like many here I regard the KC as being pretty good, but not a first choice. KC is about 26 bucks here and there are many bourbons (even with NH's limited selection) I'd pick before the KC. It's not bad, though and the $ to % ratio stacks up well in its favor. I had one recently in a hotel bar (the gal poured a big snifter 3/4 full! Thank God for inexperienced bartenders!) and enjoyed it.

The world of bourbon is full of options and I can't say that I've ever had one I would flatly refuse if push came to shove.

Cheers!

PS- Guess that means I give it a Yay!

[Whiskey Willie]

Yay. I bought a bottle last week. I pick up a bit of orange in KC and drink it as a change of pace.

[BourbonJoe]

It's OK. I drink it. Better stuff around for thr money though.

Joe :usflag:

[CorvallisCracker]

I keep seeing that. For God's sake, stop it! It's never less than $30 here, and more like $32, then tax!:frown:

Here it is $35.95, though no tax. Still too high. There is other stuff I like better at lower prices.

I like it okay. Actually, for a number of years after WT 101 went from 8yo to NAS (at least for the domestic market), KC was my standard pour.

[Gillman]

Okay, brass tacks, here's a taste note.

Nose: pleasant nose of florals and citrus, like one of those mango vodkas but with a deeper background informed by wood and smoke.

Taste: less smoke in the flavor, citrus still present, good round taste with some arak-like hints (the anise signature of modern Beam), and some sweetness. The proof is barely noticed.

Aftertaste: quite light but with hints of wood and anise.

A fine bourbon, sometimes less anise-tasting than this current sample. Like Booker's but lower proof. Good stuff.

Gary

[scubie02]

Not really a fan of KC myself--lots of others I'd take for the same money, and several for less. Give me Eagle Rare for about the same $ here, or Elijah Craig for considerably less. It's not as bad as some though, not really bad per se anyway, just not really that good either

[blux]

I like KC but have only had it at bars and have no plans to buy a bottle any time soon. With KC at $28.99 for 750ml's, I'll take ERSB (750) for a dollar less, EC12 for $19.99 (750) or OGD 114 (750) for $23.99 instead. The list goes on...