Knob Creek 21 Year Old Bourbon Is Here — Does It Live Up to the Hype?

After a more than a year of speculation and excitement, Knob Creek officially unveiled its limited-edition 21-year-old bourbon in late October — the oldest age-stated whiskey Beam has ever released.

Bottled at 50% ABV and priced at $249.99, Knob Creek 21 Year Bourbon Whiskey arrives with significant anticipation — the kind that accompanies any extra-aged release from a major heritage distillery. The question is whether this whiskey meets that level of hype. And we’re here to answer.

Knob Creek 21 Year Old Bourbon Reviewed

The first impression is a notably rich and dessert-forward nose — one that’s delicious and keeps you coming back for a few more sniffs before you even taste the stuff.. Aromas of Bavarian cream, maple donuts, caramel and Luxardo cherry come through immediately, rounded out by blueberries, cinnamon and a soft layer of tobacco.

On the palate, the bourbon shows moderate viscosity (about what you’d expect at 100 proof) and a balance of sweetness and deep oak. Butterscotch leads, followed by a substantial oak presence and warm cinnamon. A bold cherry note carries through with a touch of licorice.

The finish continues in oak-driven fashion, bringing tannin and dry wood before easing into cinnamon, mint and peanut brittle. It’s lengthy and structured.

Let’s get into what every big whiskey fan is going to be wondering: How oaky is this? After all, 21 years of resting in new oak is a loooong time. This is a bourbon that’s old enough to purchase its own bourbon.

You’ll be unsurprised to hear that oak plays a big factor here. You get your tannin and some sawdusty notes. But those aren’t the notes that headline the pour. Instead, it showcases balance and sweet, rich dessert-forward flavors. It’s still undeniably oaky — and that will be a dividing line for some drinkers — but for those who enjoy their bourbon on the oakier side, Knob Creek 21 Year is going to be a must-taste.

This release stands out as one that both embraces its oak-heavy identity and offers enough complexity to keep things interesting. For fans of mature Kentucky bourbon, Knob Creek 21 Year is likely to land as one of the year’s more compelling limited editions.

To check out our review in full, click here.