Taste Test: Knob Creek’s New Blend of Bourbon and Rye Whiskey Is a Winner

Jonah Flicker
·4 min read

Knob Creek is a member of the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection that is not generally known for experimentation, instead relying on a solid lineup of bourbon and rye whiskeys bottled at 100 proof that are built for sipping or mixing. The latest release is an exception to that rule, however, an excellent blend of both bourbon and rye whiskey that the brand says will be a one-off, so grab a bottle while you can.

Of course, other supposed one-time releases have returned in recent years, like Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke, another member of the Small Batch Collection. Even if the new Bourbon X Rye were to become a permanent member of the Knob Creek portfolio, I’d still recommend trying it now. The blend is actually mostly rye whiskey, a 70 percent to 30 percent ratio of rye to bourbon according to a rep—specifically seven-year-old Knob Creek Rye and nine-year-old Knob Creek Bourbon, the two expressions that anchor the lineup.

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Over the past few years, a few new age statements have joined the Knob Creek family, including 12, 15, and 18-year-old versions of the bourbon. Also, the core bourbon got its nine-year age statement back after an absence of several years, the rye whiskey got a new seven-year age statement, and more recently an upgraded 10-year version came out, so it’s not like Fred and Freddie Noe and the rest of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. team haven’t been thinking about innovation for the brand. The concept of blending a bourbon with a rye whiskey isn’t something they came up with either—other well-known examples include High West’s Bourye, Stoll & Wolfe’s blend, Lost Monarch from Redwood Empire, and Wyoming Whiskey’s Outryder (technically a blend of “almost rye whiskey” and high-rye bourbon, but close enough). This isn’t even the first time that the James B. Beam team have done this—Basil Hayden Two by Two came out a few years ago, a blend of two bourbons and two ryes.

Still, Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye is, in my opinion, the best example of this particular blend of categories so far. The core whiskeys are great on their own, and they are aged longer than most of the other components in the aforementioned examples. The 70-30 proportion works very well here, especially given the “barely legal” Kentucky-style rye that Beam makes versus a 95 percent or 100 percent rye. And then there’s the relatively high 113 proof which really lets the flavor shine, and can stand up to using in a cocktail or adding some ice if that’s how you roll. The palate is superb; sweetness and spiciness are in balance, with notes of caramel, brown sugar, hot honey, black pepper, prune, green apple, and muddled orange and cherries in the mix.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye returns for a second or third round after this initial launch, although of course that depends on whether a whole lot of other people enjoy this whiskey as much as I do. With an SRP of $45, it’s also a steal (other expressions like Bourye are priced at more than double that). It’s also nice to see a line extension that isn’t another barrel finish. Instead, this is a creative way of using the whiskey that’s already in the lineup to create something entirely new (and very tasty) through blending and changing the proof.

Score: 92

  • 100 Worth trading your first born for

  • 95 – 99 In the Pantheon: A trophy for the cabinet

  • 90 – 94 Great: An excited nod from friends when you pour them a dram

  • 85 – 89 Very Good: Delicious enough to buy, but not quite special enough to chase on the secondary market

  • 80 – 84 Good: More of your everyday drinker, solid and reliable

  • Below 80 It’s alright: Honestly, we probably won’t waste your time and ours with this

Every week Jonah Flicker tastes the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. Check back each Friday for his latest review.

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