Knob Creek Cask Strength Straight Rye (2018 Release)

Consumed neat. It has been open for over a year. This is a store selection. It's been a long time since I last tried this Rye. I can't recall if I enjoyed it or not. I found the bottle tucked away at the back of the shelf, so I decided to revisit it before hiding it again. The aroma is light for cask strength, with hardly any alcohol burn. The characteristic Jim Beam nuttiness is present in the background, which is an interesting addition to a rye. There's a lot of lightly toasted caramel and charred marshmallow, with notable sweetness and a hint of char. The rye flavor is mostly a background element. No dill or black licorice detected. There's a pleasant peach note, perhaps even lemon with its acidity. It's becoming lighter over time, and vanilla is emerging. A truly pleasant and inviting rye. I suspect this is very close to the legal minimum rye content, and it could easily be mistaken for a bourbon. The texture is very oily, coating the glass well. Initially, there's brown sugar and cinnamon, with a hint of that lemon. It's darker than I anticipated. Charred caramel is present, with undertones of nuttiness. The legs initially show a burst of rye spice but quickly mellow into vanilla and lemon. Possibly even orange. The longer I let it sit, the more I notice a tannic aftertaste and a dry mouth. It possesses some excellent flavors. I have no idea why it was put away. I would compare this directly to a Pikesville. The fundamental profile is more akin to bourbon than rye, but the rye contributes these wonderful sweet, citrus fruit notes that you wouldn't typically associate with a Knob Creek product. My only criticism is that the lemon, the acidity, can come across as too sharp. The tannic aftertaste also detracts from the overall experience. Nevertheless, I can still see this ranking among my top 10 ryes under $75. I will purchase another store pick once this bottle is finished.

Nose: A wonderful blend of dark chocolate, barrel notes, baking spices, and herbs, along with sugar and vanilla. Subtle, simple fruits. A bit of dill. The alcohol is noticeable, though perhaps less than expected for the strength. Dusty leather. Granola with yogurt. Whipped cream with vanilla and orange blossom water. Honey and toasted grains linger in the background. Truly pleasant. Palate: Oak, vanilla, brown sugar. Strawberries dipped in chocolate, bananas, plums. Mint, dill, rosemary. Clove and nutmeg. Possibly a hint of allspice. Barrel char and tannin. An alcohol kick. Almost a savory taste – smoked salmon, teriyaki sauce, etc. Citrus oils. Overall well-balanced, which can be challenging at extreme proofs. It invigorates the entire palate. Medium body. Finish: Alcohol followed by berries, vanilla, and a touch of mint. Oak and char emerge with some tannin texture and brown sugar. Peaches and apricot appear prominently. Then it fades with mint, thyme, milk chocolate, and fruit. Medium to long length. Other thoughts: This spirit is a lot of fun. Pairing it with very dark chocolate is an enjoyable experience, but it's equally excellent by itself. It's not the best choice for introducing newcomers to the Rye category, something other distilleries do very well. I would appreciate seeing more experiments like this, but sadly, it's become a niche category. I highly recommend it, and I might seek out another bottle to keep for a while. Well crafted.

Bottled in 2009 at 119.6 proof. Sampled neat from a shot glass, accompanied by a Pilsner from Green Bench Brewing serving as a secondary beverage. We all have our indulgences... My initial reaction upon my wife presenting this was, "Wow, this is substantial." She occasionally surprises me like this, selecting a shot from the cabinet and asking me to identify it. She's truly a gem... The aroma is like a candy bar. Sweet, with less fruitiness than I expected from a rye. It's all nougat, caramel, and milk chocolate, with a hint of cherries. The nose is truly spectacular. The palate is definitely serious business. At 120 proof, it drinks like it. Cinnamon red hots, ginger, allspice, apples, maple – it's all present. Is this a barely legal rye? That's just a guess, as I haven't checked the mash bill. It strikes me as more bourbon-like than rye. Regardless, it's a powerhouse. Exceptionally tasty, if a little over the top. Recommended for those with an adventurous palate.

Exceptional. Fragrant cardamom, overripe banana, Fuji apples, wild blueberries, Graham cracker, wood shavings reminiscent of a certain brand, star anise, dark chocolate bitterness, leather, a pleasant subtle brine, mellowed but full rye peppery spice, sour but not quite tart lemon, creamy cereal grains like oatmeal, maple syrup, spearmint, beautiful oak tannins, fruit cake, buttery scones. Dangerously smooth, the strength isn't apparent after a few minutes of resting. The aroma is a bit weak, but the taste is complex. Always admired this brand's products, and this has set the highest standard yet from their line. Would suggest this other rye.

Let's manage our expectations right away... You won't confuse this with Stagg. It's good, but not nearly as good. The nose is hot, with ethyl alcohol masking the apple and oak, but it's not unpleasant. The palate is clearly rye, with the expected nutmeg/cinnamon/anise flavors blending nicely with the vanilla and caramel found in all Knob Creek products. The finish is medium and mostly numbing. It's good, and you should try it, preferably at a bar to avoid the $75+ bottle cost. Just don't think it's close to Stagg, Stagg Jr., Whistle Pig, or even Rare Breed Rye.

Distilled in 2009 at 59.8% ABV. It presents a noticeably lighter body and a more direct profile compared to the 2010 batch. Strong herbal notes, sweet peppermint, Dutch cocoa, burnt sugar, creme brulee, oatcakes, cinnamon, some rye pepper, pronounced grassy rye character with a touch of brininess on the upper palate, banana foster, lemon rinds, wet hay, and immature oak tannins. A slight letdown, as I anticipated it would be as good as or better than the '10. It's essentially a standard Knob Creek rye at full strength. Nonetheless, it's still a fine whiskey, and bottled at cask strength, which is always a positive. I would recommend Booker's and Taylor.