Flight Review: Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year and 12 Year

Opening Statements (AKA Description of the Whiskey):

Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year and 12 Year are both Kentucky Straight Bourbon Small Batch Whiskeys produced by James B. Beam Distilling Co. (more commonly referred to as Jim Beam). The bourbon is named after a small creek just South of the Jim Beam Distillery by Abraham Lincoln's childhood home. Knob Creek 9 Year was originally released in 1992 as part of the Jim Beam Small batch Collection. The other whiskeys in the collection are Basil Hayden's, Baker's, and Booker's. Knob Creek 9 Year lost its age statement in 2016, but it was returned in 2020. Knob Creek 12 year was initially a limited edition release in 2019, but since then Jim Beam has decided to make it part of the standard Knob Creek lineup. Jim Beam also claims that Knob Creek is aged in barrels with the heaviest char to impart richness and sweetness into the bourbon.

Parent Company: Beam Suntory

Distillery & Bottling Company: Jim Beam

Mash Bill:

9 Year: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley

12 Year: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley

Proof: 100

Direct Examinations (AKA Tasting Notes):

Knob Creek 9 Year

Nose: Vanilla Cake, Caramel, Oak, Light Cinnamon, Orange Rind, and Decently Strong Ethanol Palate: Vanilla, Cinnamon, Oak, More Orange, and a Medium Peppery Pop Finish: Caramel, Vanilla, Oak with Slight Bitterness, and Strong Black Pepper Mouth Feel: Medium Length: Long

Knob Creek 12 Year

Nose:

Strong Brown Sugar, Caramel, Vanilla, Oak, Honey Suckle, Cinnamon, Orange Zest, and Decently Strong Ethanol

Palate:

Caramel, Brown Sugar, Red Apple, Tobacco, and Black Pepper

Finish:

Brown Sugar, Cocoa, Earth, Dry Leather, Oak, and Barrel Tannins

Mouth Feel: Heavy

Length: Long

Cross Examinations (AKA The Whiskey's Shortcomings):

Knob Creek 9 Year

This bourbon's flavors could meld better and the heat can be intense. The finish is also rather simple.

Knob Creek 12 Year

The Ethanol on the nose can be over powering and the finish has a bit of a bitter aftertaste.

Closing Arguments (AKA Conclusions about the Whiskey):

I compared these whiskeys in a blind taste and the winner was easily Knob Creek 12 year. The notes from the 9 Year, while pleasant, do not mix perfectly and create an in-cohesive experience on the sip. The 12 Year has more complexity, heavier mouthfeel, and a better marriage of flavors. The 9 Year also has a slight watered down feel to it when it comes to the palate. Conversely, the 12 Year's notes taste and feel full bodied. Both bourbons have a decent amount of heat because they are 100 proof, but it's nothing an experienced whiskey fan cannot handle. The only thing holding the 12 Year back from being a truly great bourbon is the bitter aftertaste that lingers on the finish. I attribute this characteristic to the extra 3 years it spent in the barrel, but the benefits from its older age far outweigh the drawbacks.

Knob Creek 9 Year can usually be found for about $35. The MSRP for Knob Creek 12 Year is $60 which is not an unreasonable asking price for the quality, but I don't think I have ever seen it that cheap. It is more likely to be found for $80 and up.

While Knob Creek 9 Year is a good bourbon in its own right, the extra time Knob Creek 12 Year spent in the barrel is readily apparent through the improvements on the whiskey's flavors and mouth feel. Nonetheless, both these whiskeys are quality pours and will not disappoint.

Verdicts (AKA Scores):

Knob Creek 9 Year: 7

Knob Creek 12 Year: 7.75

Verdict Key:

10: I do not possess the vocabulary to adequately or accurately describe this masterpiece. It should not be possible for man to create such art.

9: Incredible. Hoard this stuff. Paying secondary market prices is totally worth it.

8: A real pleasure to sip. Always try to have at least one bottle and a back up on hand.

7: A solid pour. Daily drinker for sure. Try to have a bottle on hand.

6: Would not say no to a pour if offered to me, but I won't go out of my way to find it.

5: Good to mix with a coke.

4: Swing and a miss. A mixer makes it tolerable.

3: Only if I had nothing else to drink in the house.

2: Was this made in a prison toilet?

1: This is the stuff the KGB used to slowly and painfully kill prisoners.

0: An abomination of epic proportions. Should not be called whiskey.