Knob Creek Small Batch Rye

RYE SHOWDOWN #3 Bulleit 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey Knob Creek Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey Continuing my recent return to exploring ryes (refer to “High Test Rye Showdown,” 8/17/22, and “Rye Showdown #2,” 8/21/22). Bulleit 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey This bottle is surprisingly more than half gone, and I don't recall consuming any in the last two years, at least. Its color resembles watered-down bourbon with hints of orange and mahogany. The nose offers some typical rye characteristics, oak, cinnamon, honey, and a faint eucalyptus scent. Revisiting it after the Knob Creek reveals a Granny Smith apple note. The palate is somewhat thin, with hints of vanilla, orangey citrus, and a touch of spice on the back end. The finish is similar. While it lacks an age statement, it's at least four years old, indicated by the “Straight American Rye Whiskey” designation. It's made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley, sourced from MGP, and is 90 proof. It has no harshness and nothing unpleasant, but it's very average. It would work well in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned (thinking about it now, I realize that's how most of my bottle was consumed). Rated 3.0. Knob Creek Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey Only a quarter of this bottle remains. Similar to the Bulleit, I suspect this was used in the same cocktails, and I haven't had it on its own in at least a couple of years, if ever (aside from an initial taste). Its color is darker than the Bulleit: a clear bourbon mahogany hue. The nose has rye notes, along with cherries, vanilla pound cake, light char, some coolness, and a distinct dusty character. The mouthfeel is creamy, with a bit of woody bitterness. I'm growing to like this one more. It improves with air. A very subtle spice, with vanilla and a lingering coolness reappearing on the finish. The higher proof seems beneficial, though it's well integrated. It has no age statement and is bottled at 100 proof. It's pleasant. The elevated proof also makes it suitable for cocktails. Rated 3.25. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in Glencairn glasses.

Nose: Candied pears and caramel apples, sweet fresh caramel chews, herbal rye showing through, a faint hint of dried dill, sweet and herbal virgin oak, milk chocolate with caramel filling, dusty grains (corn and rye), star anise, a touch of oaky floralness like an oak blooming in spring, honeydew and cucumber water, some old vanilla seeds/pods, fruit-infused iced tea, almonds, smoky barrel char, sweet tea and hazelnuts, baking spices (cloves, mixed pepper, dusty oak, pancake syrup, nutmeg, cardamom), floral honey, a hint of dates, a hint of butter, late harvest rye, mixed red and green jolly ranchers (strawberry and green apple), a hint of maple Palate: Rocket sugar tablet candy (similar to Smarties in the US), sweet paprika and cinnamon spice, a slight saltiness, savory fresh oak, sweet tea, sweet and spicy rye, tamarind, rosewater, light marzipan, sweet dill, some caramel sweetness, a touch of sweet vanilla, a hint of butter, mixed red and green jolly ranchers (strawberry and green apple), tannic red apple skins Finish: Cinnamon, green paprika, red and green apple skins, sweet yet tannic oak, a slight calcium minerality, some peppermint, overly steeped sweet tea/black tea, candied apple chunks, candied orange peel

7-year Age Statement Aroma - wow, that's pleasant… notes of sweet toffee and bubblegum rye. Subtle hints of strawberries and even a lemony citrus note. Some cotton candy notes are present too. For a 7-year rye under $40, this has a really nice aroma. I'm hoping it all translates to the palate. Taste - Everything from the aroma makes its way to the palate, with the welcome addition of a very subtle oak profile on the finish. Still detecting those bubblegum rye notes (not spicy rye notes), still very sweet with bright fruits and a touch of citrus, and a nice toffee base. Definitely a rye for bourbon drinkers. Overall - It's really good for the $40 price tag. Everything about it exceeds my expectations regarding the palate. It has excellent balance and a really pleasing flavor profile at this price point. The finish is also quite nice for the proof. This is a must-have to keep on hand and a great choice for someone wanting to explore rye. Plus, the new age statement adds to its great value.

NOSE: Musty grain, vanilla, bananas, musty sweet corn, an herbal note that isn't grass - maybe leaves?, some kind of mixed spices, rye bread, buttercream icing, black pepper MOUTHFEEL: Oily TASTE: Spicy vanilla, black pepper, honey, something floral, cinnamon, spiced tea FINISH: Pepper, spiced honey, fading into oak - medium SUMMARY: The legs suggest an oily whisky, and it is. The nose and taste are very pleasant. With such a low rye content (only 55%) I'd anticipate this being more like a bourbon, but it's not - it's something distinctly different. I enjoy it. I only purchased a pint, unsure if I'd like it; next time it will be a fifth. RATING: Fine

The aroma is very inviting, with caramel, spicy rye, and bubblegum notes. The taste, however, is quite different from the scent, being quite hot, rather dry, and herbal. The heat subsides during the finish, revealing oak and leather as it fades. The higher alcohol content is definitely noticeable, and while a little water reduces the heat, it didn't seem to amplify the flavors. It's certainly intriguing, but not quite the rye style I prefer.

The aroma offers butterscotch with an underlying sweetness, reminiscent of cane sugar. The initial taste displays hallmarks of a true rye: black pepper, clove, char, and a hint of oak. It provides a full-bodied warmth, and at 100 proof, it delivers a complete sensory experience. An ice cube maintains the flavor profile but dampens the black pepper. After adding ice, it starts smooth but the intensity and warmth quickly return. It's good, but not exceptional for me. While I'm not typically drawn to intensely warming spirits, I understand their appeal to others.