
Knob Creek 9 Year Old
Beam Suntory · Jim Beam Distillery, Clermont, Kentucky
Knob Creek 9 Year Old is a masterclass in resilience bottled at 100 proof. In the 1980s, when American whiskey was in freefall and distilleries chased lightness, Booker Noe bet everything on going the opposite direction.
Nose
Rich caramel and dark maple syrup open with authority, followed by toasted oak, charred vanilla, and a dusting of cinnamon bark. Beneath, hints of dried orange peel and dark chocolate emerge with time in the glass.
Palate
Full-bodied and unapologetically bold. Waves of butterscotch and brown sugar meet cracked black pepper and rye spice. The mid-palate delivers roasted pecans and toffee, with a persistent warmth that fills the mouth without burning.
Finish
Long and warming, with lingering maple, toasted oak, and a final whisper of dark caramel that refuses to fade.
- Mash Bill
- 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Cocktail Suggestion
The Creek Old Fashioned: Muddle a sugar cube with 3 dashes Angostura bitters and a splash of water. Add 2 oz Knob Creek 9, stir with a large ice cube for 30 seconds. Express an orange peel over the glass and drop it in.
Food Pairing
Slow-smoked beef brisket with a brown sugar and black pepper bark.
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