KNOB CREEK IS GONE!!! For this year anyway. It happens infreaquently, but it does happen. A whiskey’s supply is out stripped by its popularity. 9 years ago the makers of Knob Creek thought their whiskey would be popular, but didn’t anticipate that it would take off like it has, and the entire concept of small batch whiskey would catch fire. The makers of Knob Creek are really to be credited with a renaissance in the Bourbon Whiskey business. The thought that a large distillery like Beam could make a specially crafted bourbon whiskey in small batches with a high quality and attention to detail. The end product would be a bourbon unlike anything that had been crafted before.
So what caused this shortage, it was a combination of factors that converged to have the creek run dry. The process of estimating how much whiskey to age is an inexact science. After all they need to forecast 9 years into the future in Knob Creek’s case, since it is aged 9 years. well nine years ago they didn’t have enough data and didn’t anticipate the spike in the popularity of bourbon whiskey, which was largely due to the popularity of the small batch distilling process.
So for now the makers of Knob Creek have put together a ad campaign thanking their loyal customers for being such good supporters. Thanks or not the truth is that you can no longer get Knob Creek in many major markets around the country. Fortunately for me I live in Idaho with a lot of Mormons who don’t drink, so I think I will be able to weather the storm and be just fine. For others you will have to wait until November. You might want to mark your calendars, October 29th is Barrel Dumping Day at the Knob Creek distillery. The Knob should hit your local liquor store shelves in Mid November just in time for the holidays.
The makers of Knob Crees held a 30 minute Web cast a couple of weeks ago and explained the whole situation. It is available to view at http://www.knobcreek.com/home. I came away unconvinced that this won’t happen again. I think it may take a few years for the folks at Knob Creek to correct this shortage situation. In the mean time you might want to stock up if you have it in your local market, or in November when it hits store shelves.
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Cool ad campaign. This whole thing makes me think that they’ll be raising prices, at least in certain markets. Supply and demand and all that. By hyping the scarcity of their whiskey, I imagine they are creating demand and a sense of urgency among Knob drinkers. It’s like every time I go into my favorite beer store to discover they are STILL out of Trappist Rochfort 10 – it only makes me want it more.
Anyway, keep an eye on the price. Obviously they can charge more and this is America, after all.
This is one of the best Whiskeys, for the price, that you can get. As to the Rochefort problem. I always see people out of 8, which is my favorite.
KC is my house bourbon, so when I heard about the shortage I was disturbed. So far in Idaho there is still plenty on store shelves. That could thin out in a few weeks however. You’re right the 8 is very good. I haven’t tried the 10 yet, but Jim says it is “Special”.
Actually, I prefer the 8 as well. But I can’t get the 10 so I pine for it.
I still haven’t really explored Knob Creek yet as I’m not a big whiskey fan, but I’d like to pick up a bottle.
Maybe now I’ll have to wait until November…
Jim:
We drank Knob at Mom and Dads when we were there last time. I can see it left a lasting impression. Shit that means I didn’t drink it when I was there in June! I’ll have to remember it and hit it next time. If you get there first you might want to take it home with you. Put it in a ziplock though.
I’m almost done with my George T. Stagg now, so that creek is drying up…so to speak. I’m sure that I’ll be able to find some out here. It’s amazing that they’ve run out. I bet this affordable Bourbon will end up on ebay for unaffordable prices.
How do you like the Stagg? I’m always looking for new bourbons to review, and so far I’ve avoided the Stagg, Old Fitz, and many other lower cost bourbons. However I am finding there are some gems out there that are still at lower costs.
Stagg is $62 a bottle…I’ve also seen it for $85. It is absolutely terrific. I liked last year better but I wish I had more bottles.
My ‘house’ scotch moved to a new batch earlier this year – and the price moved with it. Two years ago I was paying $20 for a bottle….market conditions moved it to about $30 a year ago and now its $50! Hope KC doesn’t do the same….
What are you drinking for scotch? Wondering what makes the price move like that in the scotch whiskey market. Since we have started this page I have focused on Bourbons, mostly because I like them best, and have learned a lot about the various distilleries and what impacts cost. Not so familiar with scotch. I’ll look into it if I know your brand.
I wish I knew anything about this stuff! Still good reading!