Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Rye

Boozy 115 Proof Rye. Nice notes of wintergreen, barrel char (oakiness) and baking spice. Palate slightly muted for the proof. A nice pour.

4.15 nice peppery rye presence

Bought at Costco (only 4”3 left!). Warehouse Q Floor 06 Rickhouse 1. Barreled on 4/18/2016 Selected date 3/9/2022. A nicely rounded rye, but not the “harsh, punch-you-in-your-face” spice or greener/mint flavors that I was hoping for. Decent and happy to drink again.

I have high expectations for this one. I enjoyed the standard KC Rye and absolutely loved the Barrel Proof Single Barrel Bourbon. Hopefully the rye gets a similar upgrade as an SB BP. This bottle is from Barrel #7642. This bottle has the lighter green label—this is the older style packaging which means it was bottled at least a few years ago. Nose: Almond, walnut, cashew, and pistachio. Black licorice. Black tea, cocoa, and pipe tobacco. Pumpkin spice. Rye spice. Baking soda. Dill. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Caramel and vanilla. Apple and leather. Pistachio, walnut, and almond. Coca and black tea. Pumpkin spice. Rye bread and sourdough. More rye spice and massive black pepper. Orange peel and ginger. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and oak. Finish: More of the apple, caramel, and leather. Cocoa, black, and pipe smoke. Pistachio and almond. Rye, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Long as they make a finish—as expected at 57.5% ABV. Solid nose and palate. Remarkable finish. Considering I paid $40–on sale down from $50–the VFM here is amazing at either price. Now, to compare this to the Knob Creek Rye and the KC SB BP. This is a major upgrade to the profile of the standard rye, with some Single Barrel complexity mixed in for good measure. However, it’s a hair behind its bourbon counterpart. Just a hair. As a result, this lands squarely at 4.75. One of the best I’ve had. And I feel the need to point out that the Beam distillery is demolishing the competition for when it comes to well-priced American whiskey. This one is just another in their belt.

Nose: Sea Salt Chocolate, Mocha Taste: Chocolate scone, molasses Overall: Somewhat sweet and smooth with darker, deeper undertones.