Almost everybody who drinks Bourbon recognizes the Knob Creek brand. It was a hit when introduced years ago as one of the first premium Bourbons. Even though it is a “Small Batch”, it can be found in every liquor store, bar, and in Indianapolis, the grocery store. The Rye is on close to the same footing, while it doesn’t sell as much as the Bourbon, it can be found in all the above spots as well.
This is a Jim Beam product, sells for around $35-$40 for the 750ml, is bottled at 100 proof, and comes in a respectful-looking corked bottle. The Rye is also a Small Batch.
Not sure, but regular Jim Beam used to be the world’s bestselling Bourbon; we detest it. But we do like regular Knob Creek as well as the more expensive Booker’s. And as a general rule, we like ryes. Let’s Drink.
NOSE
Todd: Well, the spice and rye come out on top, but not overly so. Also get a faint whiff of cedar, grain, and smoke. And strangely, a sweet smell that I can only describe as being similar to bubble gum, odd. Adding a cube bought a slight orange aroma. All in all, a good nose.
Matt: Instantly get a clean crisp aroma of rye and vanilla. This is followed by cedar and ethanol. I don’t smell the bubble gum, but I do smell a sweet cake-like aroma that could be Todd’s gum. A cube definitely brought out a little citrus. I agree, good nose.
TASTE
Todd: Tasted the rye and spice that was on the nose, but again, not overly so. Nothing really stood out, a little leather, some wood, maybe a little pepper. There was also a taste I couldn’t identify, after five or six sips I gave up, or forgot what I was trying to do.
Matt: I agree, besides rye and maybe a little grain, no other big tastes. It is hard to place the other flavors. After keeping up with Todd, I finally did get traces of hickory, oak, sweetness, and a very slight floral taste. It was somewhat hot neat, better with a little ice.
FINISH
Todd: Medium long with citrus and more sweetness.
Matt: Medium, with strangely a sweet and bitter taste.
OVERALL
Todd: While not a lot of flavors, I actually enjoyed the drink(s).
Matt: Still my favorite rye at this price point, an easy drink. Like Todd, I find it to be lacking in complexity. Maybe just getting spoiled from some of the higher-end ryes we have been tasing.
Nose 4.25 out of 5
Taste 7 out of 10
Nose 4.25 out of 5
Total score 15.5 out of 20 barrels.
This was hard, how to describe why you like the taste of something that doesn’t have a lot of taste. But we both enjoyed Knob Creek Rye. It was a little hot neat but that will make it shine in a classic Bourbon cocktail.
The price point is good, and a lot of guests might actually ask for it by name. That is why we both like to keep a bottle of the rye and the original Knob Creek Bourbon; they both have a big following. While the scores and some of the statements don’t seem to say it, we liked this rye, and we think you will too.
Sidenote, Talking Bourbon reviewed Knob Creek Rye 4 years ago as well. We went back and looked. Very similar statements.