Knob Creek 12 is one of the best bourbons on the shelf right now. At MSRP it might be top 5, period. It’s fantastic. Now that Beam stopped screwing around and put an age statement back on its small batch the standard 100 proof 9 is not far behind. The 9 is a daily sipper that gives you 85% of the 12, and for $35 (in my neighborhood) an incredible value. Nose: leather, oak, banana, molasses, corn Palate: mint and baking spices, vanilla, caramel, toffee, Finish: short to medium, just enough to give you something to remember An all-around great bourbon. This whiskey can do it all. I shouldn’t be so surprised since it’s 3-year-older brother is one of my favorite bourbons of the last five years.