Ttocsffej
Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon (NAS)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
August 27, 2019 (edited November 2, 2020)
The idea that this has lost its 9 year age statement but is still “blended from old and young Bourbons to maintain its flavor profile” is pure bullsh*t. Nothing substitutes for time in the barrel and warehouse temperatures.
It’s now NAS and doesn’t resemble the former product at all. End of story. Just like Suntory to rape the brand and cash in. Now they can make all they want and fool the uninitiated.
Honestly, as my tastes have evolved I haven’t bought much Knob Creek (other than the barrel proof Rye—which is still good) and this new effort ensures that I won’t buy it again. Sad.
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@Ttocsffej @BDanner Over the weekend I completed a blind tasting of the three variants of KC Sm Ba. I had an original 9 yr, a NAS from a year ago, and a new 9yr. All samples were from sealed bottles. They all three were definitely KC. The sickening sweat Beam nose present in all three. All three had that full strong flavor I have avoided since I expanded my brown juice game. This tasting was a reminder that other than the over- priced 12 yr, and the fantastic barely rye!(super good in both Sm Ba and Si Bar Sel) I have lost favor with KC. I like the notes in my chord to be a bit wider and more spaced out. I much prefer BT BF or WT products to Beam. The order: 1st Old KC 9 yr, 2nd NAS, 3rd New 9 yr. The New 9yr had some sort of chemical aftertaste lingering which wasn't quite pleasant. None of them said, " go buy more of me." Time in the barrel while important, isn't the only marker. A blend of barrels ≥7 yrs in which more of them were in a rickhouse sweet spot might be better than a similar blend with 9 plus year lesser barrels. I really don't see myself buying more KC when I prefer other flavors now. I will set this up again in a few weeks and see if my tastes confirm. Cheers!
@Guitar_mann I’d love to hear your thought Ms after blind tasting.
@Ttocsffej. I still have a couple old 375s of the 9yr aged juice. I can't wait to set up a blind taste with a NAS bottle. I may be surprised, but I doubt it!
It has been recently announced that the 9 year age statement is coming back. Anxious to see if it’s the same profile before they went NAS.