Based on
4 categories
Knob Creek 12 Year
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Knob Creek, Claremont, KY
Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Age: 12 yrs
Style: Straight Bourbon
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
Price: $65
Distribution: National
Overall: Knob Creek 12 Year is a delightfully complex whiskey that operates within the range of a classic bourbon profile, but delivers substantially more in depth of flavor. The 12 Year expression delivers excellent value for the money, and, depending on the market, has decent availability.
Background: Part of Jim Beam’s Small Batch Collection with its siblings Bookers, Baker’s, and Basil Hayden, Knob Creek line was created in 1992 as part of Jim Beam’s efforts to target the high-end liquor market. The brand has 9 Year, Single Barrel and Smoked Maple expressions; a Rye; and several limited editions, among them a 15 Year and 18 Year bourbons, and a Barrel Strength Rye. The 12 Year was initially introduced in 2019 as a limited release, but then added as part of Knob Creek’s their core lineup. Since then, Knob Creek 12 Year has been distributed across the U.S. and has reasonably good availability, though the popularity of the whiskey is making it harder to find.
Nose: Medium nose. Strong notes of Carmel and banana fosters.
Palate: The palate is oak forward, with caramel, old leather, and hints of cinnamon and licorice.
Finish: Long, slightly drying finish with oak, caramel and green apple.
Conclusion: Knob Creek 12 Year stays within the range of a classic bourbon profile, with delightful complexity that keeps your interest and invites a deeper dive into the bottle. The 100 proof point is perfect for the 12 Year expression. While the palate is oak forward, the 12 Year is a different animal from the 15 Year and 18 Year expressions in the line — the oak is certainly center stage, but does not dominate or consume the rest of the performance. The 12 Year should be considered in parallel with the 15 Year, not as a substitution. There is a lot going on with Knob Creek 12 Year and a pivotal player in Jim Beam’s Small Batch Collection.
