Knob Creek Cask Strength Straight Rye (2018 Release)

Neat. Open for over a year. Store pick. Been a long time since I tried this Rye. I can’t remember if I liked this or not even. Found the bottle hidden in the back of the shelf, so why not explore it before I bury it again. Nose is light for cask strength, barely any alcohol burn even. Jim Beam nuttiness is there in the background, which is fun on. Rye. Lots of lightly toasted caramel and charred marshmallow, especially a lot of sweetness with a hint char. The rye is mostly just a background note. No dill or black licorice. A nice peach, maybe even lemon with the acidity. It’s lightening up over time and vanilla is emerging. Really really pleasant and inviting rye. I think this is barely legal rye and I could see it getting confused for a bourbon. Texture is super oily, it costs so well. Brown sugar and cinnamon initially, hint of that lemon even. Much darker than I was expecting. Charred caramel, undertones of nuttiness. Legs are initially a blast of rye spice but really lighten up into vanilla and lemon. Maybe even orange. The longer I sit with it, I am getting a tannic aftertaste and dry mouth. Some excellent flavor on this. No idea why it got buried. I’d put this right next to a Pikesville. The base profile is more bourbon than rye, but the rye brings out these great sweet, citrus fruit notes you would never associate with a Knob Creek product. Only knock is that lemon, acidity can come across as too harsh. The tannic aftertaste takes away from the experience as well. I can still see this in my Top 10 ryes under $75. I’ll grab another store pick when this one is done.

Nose: Great combination of dark chocolate, barrel character, baking spices, and herbs. Sugar and vanilla, too. Soft, simple fruits. Dill, though not a ton. The ethanol makes itself known, though maybe not as much as you'd expect for the proof. Dusty leather. A little granola with yogurt. Whipped cream with a little vanilla and orange blossom water. Honey and toasted grains in the background. Really enjoyable. Palate: Oak, vanilla, brown sugar. Chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, plums. Mint, dill, rosemary. Clove and nutmeg. Maybe a touch of allspice. Barrel char and tannin. Ethanol kick. Almsot getting a savory note - smoked salmon, teriyaki sauce, etc. Citrus oils. Well balanced overall, which can be an issue at the extreme ends of proof. Lights up the whole palate. Medium mouthfeel. Finish: Ethanol followed by berries, vanilla, and a little mint. Oak and char come in along with some tannin texture and brown sugar. Peaches and apricot pop into the center. Then things fade on mint, thyme, milk chocolate, and fruit. Medium-long length. Other notes: This stuff is a blast. Paired with very dark chocolate is a fun experience, but just as excellent on its own. Not something I'd use to introduce people to the Rye category, something Beam does very well. I'd love to see more explorations like this but alas, it's the hipster's category. Easy recommendation from me, and something I may try to find another bottle of to keep around a bit longer. Well done.

Barreled in 2009, 119.6 proof. Tasted neat from a shot glass with a Kulture Ting's ( Green Bench Brewing) Pilsner handling the supporting role. Hey, we all have our weaknesses... "Wow, this is big" were my first thoughts when my wife brought this out for me. She'll do this to me from time to time; just grab a shot from a bottle in the cabinet and bring it out to me and ask me to guess what the hell I'm drinking. She's absolutely a keeper... This is a candy bar on the nose. Sweet with not as much fruit as I expected from a rye. This is all nougat and caramel and milk chocolate. There's a hint of cherries. The nose is absolutely spectacular. On the palate this is definitely serious business. It's 120 proof and drinks like it is. Cinnamon red hots, ginger, allspice, apples, maple, it's all there. This is a barely legal rye? That's just a guess, I haven't looked up the mash bill. It tastes more bourbon than rye to me. Regardless this is a powerhouse. Super tasty if just a bit over the top. Recommended for the adventurous at heart.

Barreled 2010, 127proof. Exceptional. Fragrant cardamom, overripe banana, fuji apples, wild blueberries, Graham cracker, Jim beam sawdust, star anise, dark chocolate bitterness, leather, a pleasant brine always in the background, mellowed but full rye peppery spice, sour but not quite tart lemon, creamy cereal grains almost like oatmeal, maple syrup, spearmint, beautiful oak tannins, fruit cake, buttery scones. Dangerously smooth, doesn't taste like the proof after letting it sit a few minutes. The nose is a bit thin but the palate is complex. Always been a fan of Knob Creek and this has set the highest bar yet from their product line. Would recommend Pikesville.

Let's cool expectations right away...You'll never mistake this for Stagg. It's good, but it's not nearly that good. Nose is hot, with ethyl cloaking the apple and oak, but not in an objectionable way.. Palate is obviously rye, and there are the expected nutmeg/cinnamon/anise flavors that meld nicely with the vanilla and caramel that are in all KC product. Finish is medium and mostly just novacaine numb. It's good, and you should try it. Preferably at a bar where you don't spend $75+ for the whole bottle. Just don't think it's anywhere near Stagg. Or Stagg Jr. Or Whistle Pig. Or even Rare Breed Rye.

Barreled 2009, 59.8%. Considerably lighter body and more straightforward compared to the 2010 batch. Strong herbal tone, sweet peppermint, Dutch cocoa, burnt sugar, creme brulee, oatcakes, cinnamon, some rye pepper, high grassy rye notes with a bit of brine on the upper palate, banana foster, lemon rinds, wet hay, immature oak tannins. A little disappointing, expected it to be at or near the quality of the '10. Pretty much a standard knob rye undiluted. Still a fine whiskey and at cask strength too, which is always a plus. Would recommend Booker's, Taylor's.