Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye

Nose- Dusty white corn, cream soda, oak, and a hint of black pepper. There's also a signature Beam peanut aroma to support it. The nose is very inviting and balanced. Palate- It's tangy and crisp, almost like apple cider. There's a touch of green apple, smoky oak, peanuts, and vanilla quickly, followed by bursts of spices like cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. I really had to search for caramel, but a few drops of water revealed it in plenty. Warm baked bread along with some heat comes on at the end. It's a tad drying at that point, and perhaps turns a little citrusy as it goes down. Water seems to alter the citrus taste and helps prevent it from being too acidic. Finish- I end with some caraway seed and black licorice. It's long and lingering, not in a bad way, but in a way that really showcases the rye towards the end. Overall- This is a strong addition to the lineup and a super bargain at its price point. The delicate tightrope of balancing the rye and bourbon is what impressed me most. You get the bourbon first, followed by an almost completely rye finish. The flavors for the bourbon and then the rye arrive almost as if they were staged or arranged that way. Sweeter, nuttier, vanilla flavors at the front, and then spicy, citrusy elements going out. I compare it to Wild Turkey's batches of Forgiven. For me, it doesn't quite reach that mark, but it really is a masterclass in the power of Jim Beam whiskies when beautifully blended. At $44.99, it's definitely a bottle to have fun with.

Spicy aroma with rye grains, mint, pepper, popcorn, vanilla, peanut, grass, and generic citrus zest. Ethanol is nicely low. The palate is kind of jumbled; sea salt, hay, Cracker Jack, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and a savory note (onion?) that, when combined with the other flavors, gives almost a steak seasoning note. There’s also a slightly sour element here; maybe sour gum. Bizarre. Everything is pretty bitter; there’s some peanut butter that wants to emerge but never really does. The finish has herbal notes of cardamom, fennel, and mint along with white pepper, black pepper, chili pepper (did I mention pepper? haha) almond, dry bitter oak, and char. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, but also drying and grainy, which really becomes abusive to the tongue over repeated sips. I'm definitely a Knob Creek guy, and have tasted many KC bourbons and ryes I've enjoyed, but this expression just doesn't come together well. Very clashing. At $48, it's in no way a rip-off, but it just…isn't very good. Yep, I said it.

Glass: Glencairn, rested for 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Vanilla with a lot of spice. Palate: Cinnamon, clove, baking spice. Finish: Surprisingly long and very warm. Splash: A few drops of water help to calm the spicier notes. Overall: Rated 8.5/10. I'm a rye enthusiast (and a Knob Creek fan) and found this to be overly spicy. It might be that this was the first pour and it will open up over time, or it could be that it was just proofed a little too high. This would make a fantastic Manhattan, and at under $50, I'll have to try that.

Nose: Notes of baking spices and rye spice mingle with caramel and brown sugar. Palate: Baking spices, white pepper, and orange peel emerge before caramel and brown sugar take precedence. Finish: Baking spices, black pepper, and rye spice give way as brown sugar and caramel move in, creating a perfect equilibrium between the sweet and spicy elements.

This bourbon is rich, sweet, and spicy! The balance is excellent! It's still sweet enough to appreciate all the bourbon characteristics but possesses the spice of rye. This is a fantastic addition to the existing lineup.

The aroma presents notes of honey and a minty spice. A nice fusion of spicy rye and sweet wheat flavors. The bourbon contributes smooth, buttery undertones. Overall, I'm very fond of it.