Knob Creek 15 Year – Release # KC002

Buy if you enjoy Knob Creek/Bookers offerings

DISTILLERY	Jim Bean
REGION	Kentucky, USA
AGE	15 Years
STRENGTH	50% ABV (100 Proof)
MASHBILL	77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barle
MSRP	~$100

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GLANCE

Clear with deep intensity. Strong brown color with high viscosity.

NOSE

Clean with pronounced intensity. This is a peanut butter bomb! Super nutty (peanuts and cashews). As it opens I began to get strong notes of rich oak, caramel and brown sugar. The oak and peanut butter really overwhelm the nose. As you continue to let it open up it will start revealing the other nuanced aromas but a substantial time is needed.

PALATE

Off-dry to medium sweetness with mouth-filling texture. Flavor intensity is pronounced. Similar to what was noted on the nose followed through on the palate. The heavy oak, peanut butter and nuttiness comes through strong but if you have allowed the bourbon to breathe, you will begin to pick up on other flavor components showcasing the bourbon’s complexity. I love Knob Creeks mouthfeel that is oily and heavy on the palate. This allows it to carry the other delicious flavors such as dried red fruits, cinnamon, caramel popcorn, vanilla and brown sugar.

FINISH

Long with some complexity. You get that deep Kentucky hug with the dryness, oak and nuttiness come through. I got notes of dried fruits and baking spices as well.

CLOSING REMARKS

This is a delicious pour overall! It would be interesting to compare it to the 12 year but this dram really has layers to it which can be fun to peel away and explore. I had one major issues with Knob Creek 15. The bourbon doesn’t hide its age at all. You know its a 15 year from the moment you nose it. I feel this created issues for suffocating other flavors that were trying to come through but were stifled from the oak and nuttiness. You have to spend substantial amount of time letting it open and allowing those aromas/ flavors to come through. I feel this impacts balance and the overall drinking experience. KC 15 definitely commands your attention!

VALUE

This is a must buy at $100 especially if you love Knob Creek/Bookers mouthfeel and flavor profile! I feel there is lot to have had here but because of limited availability there are other options that are more readily available which will still leave you very satisfied. That is none other than Knob Creek Single Barrels! They are at least 9 year of age but longer aged ones can still be found and the best bang for your buck. Having said that KC 15 could have been way more robust and hard hitting, but the heavy oak influence really took away from what could have been the star of the show for Knob Creek.

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