Knob Creek 15 Year Bourbon (2020 Release)

Knob Creek 9 is good. Knob Creek 12 was even better. So the 15 must be amazing, right? It’s a Single Barrel, it’s Jim Beam, and it’s the oldest bourbon I've reviewed. Let’s see what it offers. This is from Batch: KC001, which I believe means it's from 2020. Nose: Peanut brittle and peanut butter. Cherry and brown sugar. Vanilla, caramel, and toffee. Cocoa and tobacco smoke. Pistachio, walnut, and almond alongside the peanut. Sawdust and lumber. Black pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and a strong, strong oak presence. Palate: Peanut brittle, peanut brittle, cocoa, and brown sugar. Vanilla and caramel. Gala apple, dried apricot, golden raisin, and leather. A hint of cherry and cola. Almond. Strong bitter oak. Black pepper, clove, and nutmeg contribute significant spice. Finish: Peanut brittle and peanut butter. Caramel and vanilla. Dried apricot, cocoa, and tobacco smoke. Black pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. A long finish, as expected from a 100 proof powerhouse. As anticipated, it’s an outstanding whiskey. A few extra years in the barrel work wonders for the KC formula, although this applies a bit more to the 12 than this 15-year-old. I'm not saying much about this one considering that I believe the former is as good a whiskey as you can find. An extremely well-balanced bourbon. It has only two drawbacks. It is quite bitter, which can be attributed to the 15 years it spent aging. And compared to the 12, the value for money. At $95, this nearly doubles the cost for a comparable (perhaps slightly inferior) bourbon. It may not surpass the 12, but the Single Barrel 15 is fantastic nonetheless. It is absolutely delicious and potent in all the right ways. 4.75/5.

If you spend more than 5 minutes using your finger to try to retrieve something floating in your last pour of a bottle that is older than most of your family, even after washing your hands three times, you will still smell the bourbon on your finger. Or so I've heard. Nose: Cream, vanilla, sugar. Lemon. A bit of cherry. Body: Oak upfront, followed by caramel, chocolate, and coffee. Leather. I could still detect the cherry. Finish: Black pepper. Vanilla returns. It has a good feel, but it's not as dynamic as the first half of the drink. There's also a bitterness. This was delicious. I always say that Knob Creek is my preferred Beam product... and this aged version truly delivers.

Nose: A heavy caramel scent, with nuts and classic vanilla. Palate: Oak is definitely prominent, followed nicely by caramel and vanilla. A pleasant, light peppery rye note adds flavor without harshness. Later, bright blackberry notes appear. Body: Medium. Finish: Medium length. It's an okay finish, not exceptionally long or smoky, but good nonetheless. Note: This sample was provided by a friend. Before tasting, I heard it was woody and inferior to the 12 year expression. I haven't tried the 12 year, so I can't compare. I was looking forward to this tasting, and it was good. It wasn't as woody as anticipated, but the oakiness allowed traditional flavors to emerge.

While premium Knob Creeks are usually close behind my top choice, Booker's, I really love this pour. I've consumed about 80% of my first bottle and was pleased to find another recently. It's pricey, but I think it's worth it. I get Peanut Butter Pie vibes: creamy, peanut butter, and vanilla notes. The finish is particularly impressive, with long, rich vanilla-peanut notes and a creamy mouthfeel. Adding a few drops of water enhances the finish, making it absolutely wonderful.

The aroma is quite heavy on the oak. A darker note of stewed prune adds more balance, contributing a sweet fruit aroma. The initial pour reveals sparkling rye spice encased in aged cask. A second taste unveils sweet breakfast-like flavors of raisin bread and sugared toast. The finish is long and concludes with a tannic and crisp rye note. Overall, the wood holds everything together and is just on the verge of being overpowering. However, when poured over ice, it transforms into a mellow and approachable bourbon.

Not as nutty and mature as I had hoped, but more over-oaked with drying and hot tannins. Faint caramel flavors and sweetness but overwhelming for a 15-year-old, with hot cinnamon, leather, flambéed orange peel, and burnt sugar. Not particularly complex either, with a medium finish and a medium-light body. Better than average but many other great bourbons are available for under $100.