Knob Creek Unveils 21 Year Old Bourbon Following Half a Year of Hype and Speculation

(Photo: Knob Creek)

On Tuesday, Knob Creek unveiled its highly anticipated 21 Year Old Bourbon, the oldest offering to date from the historic Kentucky-based whiskey brand.

Available now at a suggested retail price of $250, the expression is bottled at 100 proof and is distilled from the standard Knob Creek mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley. The team says to expect aromas of seasoned oak, caramelized sugar and subtle smoke, followed by a palate brimming with deep caramel, char and fruit. On the finish, warm hints of toffee and wood.

The release has been a long time coming — and we’re not just talking about the barrels. The label for Knob Creek 21 Year Old first popped up on the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in April, complete with nearly every detail from this week’s official announcement, minus the tasting notes and the price. The news sent netizens into a frenzy, with some speculating that Knob Creek was making its play at the prestige, ultra-aged bourbon category alongside heavy hitters like Pappy Van Winkle and Michter’s.

They weren’t mistaken. Up until now, Knob Creek’s oldest age statement was bottled at 18 years, making its latest release the first in distillery history to pass the two-decade mark.

“When we first laid this batch to rest, we weren’t chasing any specific age statement – we were focused on crafting a great bourbon, just like we always do,” Freddie Noe, eighth-generation master distiller at the James B. Beam Distilling Co., remarked in a news release. “After I tasted the whiskey, I knew we had something special. After decades in the rackhouse, the liquid developed a richness and balance we knew Knob Creek fans and whiskey enthusiasts would want to try.”

Keep an eye on The Daily Pour for our upcoming review of Knob Creek 21 Year Old.