Knob Creek 10 Year Rye

Another instance of me being pleased to find good American whiskey products at my local OH liquor store, this time featuring a dependable sub-brand and a highly aged product that seems to meet many expectations. Jim Beam/Knob Creek will always hold a special place in my heart, as my spouse and I bonded over it as our first favorite many years ago, so it's wonderful to see new products from them, especially when they are permanent additions. I didn't realize or recall until I read the distiller description that Knob Creek's rye temporarily dropped the age statement for a significant period until last year, as I always assumed it was a 7 year old due to the Mandela Effect. Even though I enjoy younger rye whiskeys that better convey the spice and bite from the grain, I'm always interested when I can try versions that are much older than average. Since the proof is the same (I'd love to try a cask strength version of this, though), and the mash bill is believed to still be the same inadequate ~50% rye as before (laughable to even call this small amount rye whiskey), we'll see if this can transform the brand's rye whiskey portfolio enough to warrant continued purchasing. At first glance, the color in the glass is very dark, almost chocolatey, but upon closer inspection, it still has a bit of the lighter golden brown and a clear meniscus that's expected at this proof and age combination. The nose surprises me, because despite the low amount of rye in the mash used, it's truly the star here, offering notes of cinnamon candy, fresh lemon oil/peels, and even fresh sweet cherries. I believe these notes are more easily detected here compared to the 7 year because the unnecessary corn has had more time to mellow and convert into the sweet notes that don't detract from the spicy, intense rye. Indeed, there are notes of rich chocolate, toffee, and sweet oak that also harmonize well here on the nose, with an overall ethanol that only begins to sting after repeated smelling and when dipping into the glass opening. The flavor starts rather plain and as expected, with the base proof and spicy notes from the rye beginning to settle around the gums and digging deep to deliver that full-mouth burn. The age here isn't tasted through the barrel as much as it is through the mellowing and softening of the rye spice, allowing it to become more accessible for the casual drinker, and providing less of the citrus and fruity notes that a younger version might possess. While it remains spicy and full-bodied, the finish is dry and tastes like it would be fruity, but again, I think the longer aging diminished this note. With all the added corn and the extended aging period for this new 10 year rye, it drinks very much like a spicier and drier bourbon. This is typically the case with rye whiskeys at the very minimum rye content, and this one is no exception. It's already a mistake to dilute anything with a decent age statement (which I consider to be 10 years or more), and the extremely low rye percentage makes this a second offense. The age here is effective, and the price point is very good (I was too excited in the store to notice if I bought it at MSRP or not), but the only reason this tastes objectively better than the 7 year is because of all the added corn, which benefits from longer periods of maturation in the barrel. If you're looking to expand your bourbon collection and specifically want to compare it to the Knob Creek bourbon line, this and/or the 7 year rye would be your next steps. However, if you're a rye whiskey purist seeking something spicier, more assertive, and truer to the grain, I'd avoid the Knob Creek rye brand for this; even though the price point is quite impressive, there are superior rye options available for the same amount of money or, more likely, for considerably less.

Woo, first review! I will attempt to do it justice. The nose offers an equal balance of sweet, spicy, and herbal notes, including gingerbread, white pepper, oregano, lemongrass, fennel, wintergreen, sugar cookie, and light oak. The ethanol is slightly bothersome given the relatively low proof. The palate is sweeter and less herbal than the nose suggests. Snickerdoodle cookie, vanilla, cinnamon sugar, chili pepper, peanut, mint, and cake icing are present. The flavors are nicely integrated and balanced. The finish is decently long, offering rye spice, Red Hots candy, mature oak, rosemary, eucalyptus, and a delightful citrusy zest. The mouthfeel is slightly thin-bodied, causing everything to be perceived under the tongue, but it's also on the creamy side, which serves this well. The additional three years of aging compared to the standard 7-year release have worked wonders, adding depth and complexity. At $69.99, it represents good value in today's market given the age statement. That said, I've had better with less age, although most of those had higher rye mash bills. This is a great offering for a "barely rye" 51% sort of product. Rebuy depends on what else is available in the cabinet.

Opened 1 year Nose - Smooth rye, nutmeg, allspice, light caramel, air freshener, fresh cut oak, and moderate ethanol. Palate - Coats the mouth, delicate, savory rye, dill, star anise, black pepper, toffee, lemon oil, noticeably lacking in traditional sweet notes. Finish is medium with dry and watery oak, lemon peel, black pepper, old fashioned hard candy, and moderate ethanol. Given my fondness for Knob Creek Rye SiB picks and the excellent value of Knob Creek 12, I had high expectations for this release. Unfortunately, it's average at best. It's surprisingly savory, with classic sweet notes in bourbon or rye difficult to detect. It also transitions quickly from oily to watery on the palate. I'm unsure what happened here, as the single barrels are significantly superior.

Aroma is deep, rich, and earthy with abundant spice on the periphery - cinnamon, pepper, perhaps some citrus, and floral/earthy notes. There's almost a stone fruit essence mixed in. Flavor is unexpected - a very mellow, unobtrusive start with some caramel body standing out, followed by a vegetal white pepper spice that begins to emerge. The finish is somewhat flat, with that spice persisting as more of an oak flavor with some sweetness. It's almost like drinking a flat soda. Not bad, though - quite intriguing. T8ke 6.7

Served in a Glencairn, let to rest for 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Scent: Abundant fruit, from apples to plums, with a dry wood note. Taste: Sweet notes of clove and strong cinnamon, followed by baking spices and wood. Finish: Lingering with moderate warmth. With a dash of water: Baking spices and wood tannins become significantly more prominent with just a few drops. Overall: 9/10 - This met my expectations fully. It's a robust sipper at a fair price, and would hold up well with ice or in a mixed drink without losing its finest qualities. Commendable!

Nose: floral with a hint of waxy candy corn. To me, the nose is uninspiring and not what I expected. Palate: a bit of peppercorn and waxy candy. It was average and not very complex. A touch of rue seed appears towards the end. Not bad, but nothing remarkable. The taste was somewhat diluted. Finish: pepper dominates! And a nice lingering warmth that indicates the proof. Overall: I had much higher hopes. This fell short in every aspect. Perhaps it would work as a mixer?