KNOB CREEK BLENDER’S EDITION 01 *APPEARANCE: A nice deep color border between 1.6 Mahogany and 1.7 Burnt Umber. Takes a good while to form the skinniest of legs. *NOSE: An excellent nose, featuring Sticky Toffee, Dry Dusty Oaky Funk, Cinnamon, Tobacco, and a hint of clove. *NEAT: My first thought is that I don’t notice the extra 6 proof points. Enters sweet with Vanilla Coke and Honey Roasted Nuts. Mid-palate is Dry Oak and Cinnamon. It ends with Some Oak Tannins, Cinnamon, and Black Pepper which coat and layer. I still am tasting Oak 30 minutes after the pour is over (like chewing on a pencil or toothpick). *SPLASH: A little water evens it out. Blending the flavors together to a consistent sweetness for the entire palate. Cinnamon, Vanilla, Sweet Oak. Cinnamon finish. The nose gets some heat. It more resembles standard issue Knob Creek. *VERDICT: An interesting experiment. It does have a sweeter character and the extra year of age gives it a touch more Oak. I don’t consider it a huge upgrade, but for $5 more, you get an extra 6 proof points an extra year of age. I don’t regret the purchase in the least and I recommend it. 4 Stars.