Knob Creek (bourbon)

Knob Creek (bourbon)

Knob Creek is a brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced by Beam Inc. at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. It is one of the four Jim Beam small batch bourbon brands targeted for the high-end liquor market. Its siblings in the line are Booker's, Baker's, and Basil Hayden's.

The primary expression of the brand is bottled at 100 proof (higher than the typical 80 that is the minimum required by U.S. Federal labeling requirements) and aged for nine years (which is longer than many Bourbon brands and is longer than the other Jim Beam Small Batch brands).

Knob Creek comes in a rectangular bottle with a corked and wax-sealed top. As of 2012, at least some 750ml and 1.75L bottles now use screw caps, still under a wax seal. The bourbon has a dark, golden-brown color. According to the company, this is due to the relatively long aging process, which allows it to absorb more sugar from the wood than is the case for the other Jim Beam Small Batch brands. The company describes the flavor as "rich, sweet, woody, full-bodied, almost fruity", and the aroma as "toasted nuts, grain, oak".

In 2009, Beam ran a campaign to publicize their shortage of Knob Creek bourbon. Demand exceeded the 2000 forecast, when the stock began the aging process.

In 2010, a 120 proof single barrel brand variation was introduced, called Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve.