Knob Creek Single Barrel Select 15 Year W-E F-06 R-019 10/21/2005

This is the last sample of my blind series that was generously provided by @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington The nose is rich starting with pecan pie, apricot jam and dusty leather-bound books then dark chocolate covered toasted marshmallow and sweet pipe tobacco followed by caramelized apples, morello cherry jam and orange blossom that transitions to light spices of spearmint, candied ginger, cloves and polished mahogany with high ethanol burn. The taste is a medium to full mouthfeel starting with pecan pie, apricot jam and dusty leather-bound books before a moderate spice that slowly fades to cocoa nibs, toasted marshmallow and sweet pipe tobacco followed by caramelized apples, morello cherry jam and charred orange peel that transitions to light spices of spearmint, candied ginger, cloves and polished mahogany with high ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with anise, sweet pipe tobacco, caramelized apples, maraschino cherries, spearmint and polished mahogany. This is a phenomenal bourbon and a hell of a finale for this little series that has an old dusty wood character that runs throughout the experience with a nice balance of rich sweets, creamy citrus and mild rye. Now I just need to find out what this is and if it’s still possible to get a bottle as this has been my favorite of the 5 samples. Time to find out and this tasty dram turns out to be………. Knob Creek 15 year Corks and Barrel Pick 120 proof!!!! Wait, Knob Creek has cask strength single barrel 15 year store picks?! I’d only ever seen the 15 year releases at 50% and this one is far better than the 15 year (2020) version that I had. I’ll have to keep an eye out next time I’m in Kentucky and hopefully can find a bottle to bring home. Thanks so much Lex for taking the time to set this up and sharing all these great whiskeys with me.

Sweet and spicy with full vanilla to the nose. Like sugar cookies baking. First sip is a forest full of oak in the fall as the leaves fall, then swallow and the charred oak and full alcohol flavors come out. Finishes with lingering cinnamon red hots and mouth and lip numbing. Second sniff is less spice and more sugar and vanilla. Some fruit notes, orange peel maybe. Second sip sweet, rich, and full. Oily smoky finish that stays on your tongue for your lasting enjoyment. Top 3 in my collection.