Knob Creek 18 Year - Review

The Details

Knob Creek

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Limited Edition Small Batch

Release KC001

Aged 18 Years

Distilled and Bottled by Knob Creek Distilling Company

Clermont, Kentucky

100 Proof

Mashbill: 75% Corn / 13% Rye / 12% Malted Barley

Price: ~$240

Poured Neat in a Copita nosing glass - Click Here to order

Appearance: Dark Amber

Nose: Creamy Caramel, Vanilla Wafers, Cinnamon, Brown Sugar and Wet Oak

Palate: Flakey Buttered Pastry, Vanilla Buttercream Icing, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Roll and Salted Walnuts

Finish: Medium Linger, Sweet Coating and Cinnamon Spice

Overall: First thing's first...do not let the price point scare you away! This 18 Year offering honoring the 30th anniversary of Knob Creek is one you're going to want in your home-bar. I'm going to get very honest here, I'm not the biggest fan of the traditional Knob Creek profiles of saturated oak and huge peanut influence. To me, the particular profile tastes dry and doesn't leave me salivating for more. But hey, that's me. I know there is quite a cult following when it comes to Knob Creek and I completely respect that. This 18 Year, however, brushes aside everything I just wrote and stands on its own. I feel the "off-profile" taste is exactly what I needed to get me pulled back into this brand. Perhaps the extra time in oak? Certain rickhouse location? Any agitation? Whatever the cause, I'm hopeful this profile prevails going forward because it just solidified a spot in The Library Top-10 of 2022.

Library Rating: 9.2 / 10

Barrell Vantage - Review

The Details

Barrell Craft Spirits

A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

Finished in Mizunara, French and Toasted American Oak

Cask Strength

Batch 1

No Age Statement (NAS)

Distilled in Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky

Bottled by Barrell Craft Spirits - Louisville, Kentucky

114.44 Proof

Mashbill: Various - Blended

Price: $80

Poured Neat in a Copita nosing glass - Click Here to order

Appearance: Gold

Nose: Dark Chocolates, Marshmallows, Caramel and Vanilla Custard

Palate: Buttercream Frosting, Graham Crackers, Burnt Caramel and Oak

Finish: A Long Viscous Linger with a Warm Rye Spice

Overall: I had the opportunity to give this a try for the first time when I attended the Wisconsin Whiskey Fest last month. This was a bottle that had my attention right from the get-go with the finish alone. Well, the whiskey certainly followed through with the incredible finishing barrels. As soon as I returned home, I purchased a bottle.

Inviting upon first sniff, the dark chocolates and marshmallows danced across my senses. Crossing my fingers and hoping the palate followed the nose with those sweet sugary flavors, I was met by the sandwich portion of the s'more. Graham crackers and buttercream frosting created almost a dessert in a glass until the perfect spice shows up. A warm peppery rye spice helps to create a higher viscosity and warm tingle straight down the throat.

This is certainly one to check out if you've ever been on the fence about any Barrell product. The blending is exquisite and the finishes are spot on with my profile.

Library Rating: 8.7 / 10

Russell's Reserve 13 Year - Review

The Details

Russell's Reserve (LL/JL)

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Barrel Proof

Single Barrel

13 Years Aged

Non-Chill Filtered

Wild Turkey Distillery - Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

114.8 Proof

Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Price: $129.99

Poured Neat in a Copita nosing glass - Click Here to order

Appearance: Ruby Amber

Nose: Pound Cake, Vanilla, Lemon Zest, Sweet Cream, Honey

Palate: Brown Sugar, Creamy Caramel, Rich Vanilla Bean, Earthy Spice (Funk), Slight Oak

Finish: Very warm, viscous with a long linger and a slight white pepper spice.

Overall: The hype was completely real with last year's inaugural Russell's Reserve 13 Year release. The bottle blew me away upon my first sip and easily landed itself in my Library Top-5 of 2021. This year's release makes no exception. Quality, consistency, proof and downright deliciousness has "funked-up" my senses. The pour starts on the nose with a buttery sweetness and some lemon zest and honey that transfers to a brown sugar, vanilla and caramel delight on the palate. The finish does exactly what I wanted it to do...LAST FOREVER. Okay, forever may be a little dramatic. For sake of argument, let's say it lasts quite a while. But it's not just the linger on the finish, it's also the amazing white pepper and rye spice that coats the back of the tongue that had me smacking and licking my lips for at least a minute to secrete a little more saliva to taste beyond the finish. (Like the 'Beyond' section at Bed Bath & Beyond).

If you happened to be lucky enough to find this bottle at or very close to retail, you already won. This is one to celebrate with friends for special occasions or one to be completely selfish with (I'm not judging), pull up a comfortable chair, light a medium-bodied cigar, listen to some Miles Davis and just drift away for the next hour and a half.

Will this land in my Library Top-5 for a second year in a row?

Library Rating: 9.0 / 10