Knob Creek 9 YO Single Barrel Reserve

Knob Creek 9 YO Single Barrel Reserve, 60 %

Knob Creek is one of several small batch and 'craft' brands from the rather huge Jim Beam corporation. Knob Creek is a series that include both bourbon and rye whiskies, and also single barrel releases like this one. A bit fun to see that the label includes both 'single barrel' and 'small batch'. It is hard to get a much smaller batch than one single barrel ...  but I guess 'small batch' is a familiar term 'over there' and it is also used on the other Knob Creek products - including the ones that are not single barrel. Anyhow ...

You can buy this online at around USD 50. It is not currently available to buy in Norway or Sweden.

Nose (23/25): Rich, warm and nose embracing (?)! Caramel, banana, nuts, soft spices, hints of mint and peppermint and the softest touch of mild perfume. It is quite sweet, of course, but the corn sweetness is tempered and at the right 'level' here. This is, to me, a near perfect bourbon nose. It is not very complex, but what it does it does to near perfection.

Taste (22/25): Super smooth! Honey, vanilla, rich caramel and fried banana with a coating of powdered sugar. It is not too sweet, though.

Finish (22/25): Hints of burnt toast and maple syrup is added to the mix, otherwise it continues along the path set by the first drops to hit the palate. Again not too complex, but oh so rich and pleasing.

Balance (22/25): Dangerously easy to drink with an ABV of 60 %! Maybe that means I am a man of simple taste, but I don't care. This is a very well crafted bourbon, and I enjoy it!

Score (89/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas