Knob Creek is one of America’s most famous Bourbon whiskey brands. The brand has been a popular bourbon for many years now, and it has infiltrated the greater American popular culture. Ask any person who has ever tried Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon about their tasting experience, and you’ll surely receive tons of positive sentiments.
Knob Creek Small Batch is produced by Beam Suntory in Clermont, Kentucky, at the famed Jim Beam Distillery. The brand’s top-notch reputation and exceptional quality are a testament to the wonderful collaboration between these two powerful whiskey entities.
Mash Bill
Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon has a mash bill that consists of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley. The bourbon is aged for 9 years in American White Oak barrels and receives a proof rating of 100 at bottling time.
Recommended Cocktails to Make with Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon
Cocktail Choice #1: “New Fashioned”
A new take on a whiskey classic, the New Fashioned is a creative and fun cocktail recipe that brings the Old Fashioned into the modern era.
Before making the cocktail, you will need to gather the following ingredients: 1 ounce of Knob Creek Small Batch Whiskey, ½ ounce of Amaretto, ¼ ounces of simple syrup, 2 to 4 dashes of bitters, and 1 orange peel to use for garnishing purposes.
Once you have gathered all necessary ingredients, begin by pouring each ingredient into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Next, shake the cocktail shaker for 10 to 15 seconds. At this point, simply strain the cocktail into your highball glass of choice, add an orange peel for garnishing, and enjoy!
Cocktail Choice #2: “Bacon Old Fashioned”
For this cocktail, you will need 1 ½ ounces of Knob Creek Small Batch Whiskey, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar simple syrup, 2 to 4 dashes of orange bitters, and 1 strip of candied bacon.
Start by cutting the strip of bacon in half and chopping one of those halves into minced pieces. Next, add brown sugar simple syrup, bitters, and the minced bacon pieces into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake the mixture until frost appears on the exterior of the cocktail shaker.
Next, strain the mixture twice into your favorite low ball glass with new ice cubes, taking care to remove the minced bacon pieces throughout the process. Lastly, you will want to add the bourbon and add the second half of bacon for garnishing purposes. At this point, get ready to enjoy your cocktail!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knob Creek a good bourbon?
While many competitors have made their way into the Bourbon whiskey market over the last few decades, few classic bourbon brands have been able to retain their supremacy over their unique genre better than Knob Creek Bourbon has.
Many whiskey aficionados and industry insiders agree that Knob Creek Bourbon delivers a value to the consumer that is simply unrivaled when it comes to small batch bourbons. The bourbon is known for its exceptional quality and refined taste while also maintaining an accessible price point to allow consumers of all budgets the opportunity to enjoy a top-shelf whiskey experience.
Is Knob Creek or Maker’s Mark better?
While the spirit of the question is easily understandable, given the often cross-referencing of each of these bourbons that takes place, the reality is that each bourbon serves its own unique purpose.
Coming in at a generally lower price point than many of Knob Creek’s bourbon offerings, Makers Mark presents itself as a much more recreational and consumable bourbon for everyday drinking. Maker’s Mark is generally much less robust and stout in its flavor profile and generally has a lower proof rating, enabling the consumer to have a more diluted and less intense drinking experience.
On the other hand, Knob Creek is generally a bit more expensive than Maker’s Mark and has a higher proof rating, making it a more dynamic and full-bodied bourbon. The higher price point makes the bourbon’s carefree consumption a bit less feasible for anyone on a budget but definitely delivers a much more memorable tasting experience.
What is the best Knob Creek Bourbon?
With so many different offerings in the Knobs Creek Bourbon family, finding your favorite one can prove to be quite a challenge at times.
While each bourbon offering has its own inherent pros and cons, we feel that the best overall value within the Knob Creek family is the brand’s “Small Batch 9 Year Bourbon”.
The opportunity to enjoy a higher-end small batch bourbon with a very respectable age statement at a $30 price point has proven to be a hard bargain for any of its peers on the market to compete with.
