Think back to about 15 months ago when there was a shortage of Knob Creek Bourbon. Some say it was a manufactured crisis as some areas had plenty and never ran out and other places didn’t have any on the shelves for almost 6 months. We talked about it here. Well, that is ancient history as far as they are concerned and they are now doing something which I think is incredibly smart!
They are going to introduce something that I think will sell like hotcakes. Back when they were actually doing their barrel dump that resolved the shortage they were tweeting about it and how delicious barrel strength Knob Creek was. I remember wishing I could get a chance to try that juice, and now I will!
In February they will be releasing their latest Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve! This is almost barrel strength. It is 120 proof. I think Knob Creek comes out of the barrel around 124 proof, so just a smidge of branch water will be added to round it out to 120 proof. Whats more is it will be single barrel, no doubt trying to go head to head with the excellent Kentucky Spirit, Wild Turkey’s single barrel offering.
What is even more exciting here is the price point of this stuff. The suggested retail is only $40! Yes that is correct just about a fiver higher than regular Knob! Master Distiller Fred Noe (great grandson of Jim Beam) said that there are honey barrels in the center of the rick that this will be taken from. This might be somewhat detrimental to regular Knob because these barrels will no longer be in the mix, but I gotta believe they have compensated for this and that they will offer the new Knob Reserve without impacting the outstanding flavor of the small batch.
So there you have it. New Knob Creek on the way… I can’t wait!
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Love, love, love Knob Creek…they are my go-to house bourbon…will be thrilled to give this a taste.
Mine too Katie! I am so jazzed up about this release. I’m hoping it will be in time for the Superbowl! If not then, definitely March Madness!
I will be purchasing this. The price point for the quality is amazing.
Is there any indication of a specific release date? I’m pretty pumped, I might have my wife send me a bottle overseas during my upcoming deployment haha.
The article just said February. Hopefully soon!
I just saw a posting for this recently on another site. With the single barrel release Don, am I looking at this like the Maker’s 46 and the Gentleman Jack (a single barrel release/’step up’) of a larger (regular) house bourbon? Very excited to give it a try..
I’m excited as well. This is the closest most of us will ever get to barrel proof Knob Creek.
Don – I toured Jim Beam a couple years back and it so happened that as we entered the dump room, they were dumping Knob Creek. They handed us glasses and said if we wanted some to just fill ‘er up. Of course I did that and as I sipped from the glass, had the thought out loud that it sure would be nice if they barreled KC at barrels strength. Of course, when I heard the 120pf was coming out, that got my attention. I’ll be grabbing a bottle for sure and see how they did.
Well I stand somewhat corrected in that if you are “the BourbonDork” of course you’ve had barrel strength KC! You’ll have to tell me how it compares because that is probably the closest I will ever come to the real thing!
Right place and right time…nothing more.
I was planning to pick this up for my Valentine’s Day gift list but after reading your ‘dog house’ post, I think I’m reconsidering.
It’s ok if you BOTH drink it, just not one person. Happy V-Day! 😉