The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Richard Thomas
Rating: A-
Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye
(Credit: Beam Suntory)
Beam Suntory upped their game in the Knob Creek brand by extending its rye line. Earlier this year, they released a 115 proof single barrel version of that whiskey; now they have followed up on it by releasing a cask strength (119.6 proof), 9 year old rendition. Between the two, one would have a near counterpart to the quite popular 120 proof, 9 year old Knob Creek Single Barrel. The only plausible explanation as to why they wouldn’t do that must be a lack of nine year old rye stock.
The Whiskey
In the glass, this whiskey has a clear, bright copper coloring, while the swish and coat yields a curtain of tears. The nose is musty and leathery, with a hint of an old, thick, slightly salty caramel candy, this combination overlaying the fundamentals of a sweet Kentucky rye.
On the palette, it’s syrupy and thick with vanilla, but accented by nuts, this over the expected sugar-sweet forward, and only then spicy Kentucky rye style. The finish turns woody and a bit astringent, but that is a light touch and it lingers for long enough to make you pause before taking another sip.
One of the amazing things here is how this cask strength, 9 year old rye is very much in pace with its cousin, the Knob Creek Single Barrel. Both are seriously high octane whiskeys, and both are surprisingly un-hot. Seriously, Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye is a seriously mellow sipper, a throwback to the sucker puncher, ultra high proof releases that Jim Beam used to be known for.
The Price
Here is the best part: this stuff is going for $69.99. At that price, you had better go get yourself a bottle. Or two.
