Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Bourbon W-X F-04 R-046 (Chris Knapp)

Recently, a number of Single Barrel, 120 proof Knob Creek expressions have been released. Some of these have been elevated from their standard 9-year Single Barrel, with bottlings ranging from 12 to 15 years old. I'm eager to try one. Refer to the review from a fellow enthusiast for the essential details. They kindly shared a sample from their bottle. I'll note that this is 15 years old, making it the oldest bourbon I've tasted so far. Aroma: As intense as any Booker's I've had, despite a slightly lower ABV. Notes of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and oak. It's a spice-forward experience. Hints of fresh-baked apple pie and brown sugar are present. Caramel, vanilla, and more oak. A significant amount of sawdust is also detected. An excellent aroma. Palate: Sweetness from caramel, vanilla, cocoa, and maple. Additional spice notes: clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper. And abundant oak. Finish: Echoes of all the preceding notes. Oak, various baking spices, and a continuation of the sweet flavors from the palate. I would truly love to acquire a full bottle of this. Some of these older single barrel Knob Creek bottles are still available. I'll try my luck finding one. If you appreciate the standard 9-year Knob Creek Single Barrel, or Booker's in general, you will likely enjoy this. It's an exceptionally powerful whiskey, so those sensitive to heat should avoid it. My thanks for the sample, I highly recommend this one.

Wow, this is potent. I purchased a store selection from Adelphia Wine in NJ for $50, assuming it was a good deal. It's nearly 15 years old, barreled in 10/2004 and bottled in 8/2019, a single barrel from warehouse 1, floor 6 of 8, rack 1, at 120 proof. I added ice and let it mellow while watching Narcos on Netflix. It has a thick, viscous consistency and a burnt orange color. The aroma is a blend of cherries and burnt sugar. The taste is similar to ECBP, with orange rinds and sugar. This is a bourbon for slow sipping, meant to be savored over an hour with ice. At $50, it's affordable and comparable to ECBP or Stagg Jr.

Tasted neat, straight from the bottle. This Gallenstein #22 is 15.3 years old. I didn't anticipate such a prominent cherry flavor from a Knob Creek. It's a remarkable combination of oak and cherry, with creamy vanilla and baking spices. The aroma reminds me of cherry cheesecake. Highly impressed. The texture is very syrupy, with notes of dark and brown sugar on the palate, followed by the intense cherry and vanilla again. The legs show distinct oak. A slight hint of nuttiness is present but subtle. This might be the finest Knob Creek store pick I've encountered, and it's very impressive for only $55.

Distilled: 2/9/2005 // Warehouse: W-P Floor: F-05 // Rick: R-046 Selected: 9/4/2019 By: Frugal MacDoogals, Nashville, TN Remarkable flavor for 120 proof; it coats the palate well, goes down smoothly, with a warmth that's subtly felt. The bouquet is quite mild for a bourbon. I could easily make this my regular drink; returning to 80 proof will be difficult!

Nose - Sweet and fruity. Aroma is quite mild. Dilution reveals a slight maple sweetness. Palate - Pleasant oak and char flavors. A touch of fruit. Faint corn notes. Very rich. Moderate spice. Finish - A smooth, easy conclusion. Quite mellow. Barrel characteristics and a hint of chocolate. A pleasant mouthfeel that creates a tingling sensation on the tongue.

“Fisch in a Barrel #2”. The best value available. A 15-year single barrel for $43! The aroma presents toasted oak, prominent cherry, vanilla, and caramel. A significant cherry taste with a lengthy, spicy rye finish. A satisfyingly thick mouthfeel with surprisingly little alcohol burn given the proof. Superb.