Knob Creek Single Barrel Cask #7024
60% ABV - Kentucky, USA
Nose: Sweet, woody, oak, and old leather. Not particularly complex, but the flavour is strong – even when diluted with a small amount of water.
Taste: Loads of fruit with heavy influence from wood, leather, tobacco, and spices. The fruitiness surprised me! This is a complete diversion from the "standard" Knob Creek 9-Year that I remember… The fruits are intertwined with the other flavours, so it’s hard to pick out anything specific.
Finish: Butterscotch, oak, and vanilla. Simple, but it lasts.
Make no mistake that the botting strength is 60% ABV for this whiskey. I feel this is designed to take on a little water… in my experience the flavours hold strong (might take some experimenting; less is more). Save your tastebuds!
Knob Creek is one of my favourite bourbons. I got hooked on the 9-Year, and now I’m hooked on these Single Barrel picks. I suppose that a kudos is in order for the team at BC Liquor Stores for bringing these in at all, and also for selecting the best of the bunch - presumably they have at least three samples / barrels to choose from. I only wish they released them to us throughout the year instead of holding them back for the annual Spirits Release - they go so quick, it’s always buy it for the chance to try it (so it amounts to a little bit of roulette). Typically there are two available and I choose one based on whatever tasting notes are provided. Although the 2019 release, in just under a couple weeks, only has one Single Barrel available… I have a sample bottle left of Barrel #3667 and fingers crossed that I’ll have the chance to do a side-by-side-by-side with the new release and two older ones!
Details: Selected by BC Liquor Stores. This cask was aged in Warehouse E on the 4th Floor.
Tasted 20 October 2019. (Posted 28 October 2019).
