Knob Creek 9 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

Knob Creek 9 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is a bold, full-bodied Kentucky straight bourbon that helped define the modern “premium small-batch” category. Aged for a full nine years and bottled at a robust 100 proof, it delivers classic bourbon richness—deep caramel sweetness, toasted oak, and warming spice—balanced by the signature nuttiness associated with the Jim Beam family of whiskeys. Reliable, flavorful, and approachable, it remains a benchmark everyday bourbon for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Knob Creek is produced at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, part of the renowned Beam family whiskey tradition that dates back over two centuries. Introduced in 1992, Knob Creek was created by legendary distiller Booker Noe as part of Beam’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection, which also includes Booker’s, Baker’s, and Basil Hayden’s.

The flagship expression is aged for nine years—significantly longer than the four-year minimum required for straight bourbon—and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) to preserve depth and intensity of flavor.

The mash bill follows the classic Jim Beam bourbon recipe, believed to contain roughly:

• ~77% corn

• ~13% rye

• ~10% malted barley

This grain combination provides a balanced profile where corn delivers sweetness, rye adds spice, and malted barley contributes texture and fermentation character.

After distillation, the whiskey is matured in new charred American oak barrels, where seasonal temperature swings drive the spirit into and out of the wood, extracting color, vanilla sweetness, and toasted oak complexity over time.

Critics Reviews

Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon has received strong recognition from spirits competitions and critics:

• Wine Enthusiast rated the bourbon in the 90–95 point range, praising its balance of richness and spice.

• The Beverage Testing Institute awarded it 90–91 points, recognizing its full flavor and structure.

• The San Francisco World Spirits Competition has awarded the bourbon multiple medals, including Double Gold and Gold honors across several years.

These accolades highlight Knob Creek’s reputation as a dependable, well-crafted aged bourbon.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Rich aromas of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and candied orange peel, with hints of cherry, cinnamon, and roasted nuts.

Palate:
Full-bodied and warming with brown sugar, maple, caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit, balanced by classic bourbon spice and oak structure.

Finish:
Long and satisfying with lingering oak, chocolate, roasted nuts, and subtle coffee notes.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

Classic Old Fashioned

• 2 oz Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon

• ¼ oz demerara syrup

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  Stir with ice and strain over a large cube; garnish with an orange peel.

Kentucky Highball

• 2 oz Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon

• 4 oz soda water

• Lemon twist

Build over ice in a tall glass and stir gently.