Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 Bourbon Whiskey
The Stats
- Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
- Location: Clermont, KY
- Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Style: Small Batch / Blender’s Edition
- Proof: 106 Proof
- Age: 10 Years
- Mash Bill: 75% corn / 13% rye / 12% malted barley
- Release: Blender’s Edition No. 1 (Limited Release)
- MSRP: $45
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Knob Creek Blender’s Edition No. 1 doesn’t try to replace the core lineup. It plays just outside it: same distillery DNA, similar age, but a different intent: exploration over consistency. The question is simple. Is this a meaningful shift in profile, or just a familiar pour dressed up as something new?
Selected by Knob Creek’s blending team, this 10-year, 106-proof release is positioned as a more curated take on the brand's traditional small-batch approach. It’s still a batch at heart, but the focus here is on dialing in a specific flavor profile rather than maintaining the house standard. That distinction matters, especially for a brand built on consistency.
A Familiar Bottle, A Different Idea
Visually, it’s still unmistakably Knob Creek. The rectangular, textured bottle feels like something pulled off your grandpa’s shelf, in a good way. It’s classic, recognizable, and carries that Beam-era weight.
Where it separates itself is in the details. The side label introduces a flavor wheel, highlighting notes such as char, vanilla, sweet, fruit, caramel, and oak. It’s a clever addition. Maybe a little on the nose (literally), but it signals intent. This isn’t just another batch. It’s a guided experience.
That said, the presentation walks a fine line. The added elements are interesting, but they don’t dramatically elevate the bottle. If anything, they reinforce that this is still very much living in the Knob Creek world, just with a slight twist.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Bright and surprisingly fresh. Citrus leads the way, something you don’t typically associate with Knob Creek. Underneath that, there’s vanilla frosting, light caramel, and a soft creaminess. It leans lively rather than aged, with very little of the dusty oak you might expect from a 10-year bourbon.
Taste
Classic Beam character shows up immediately, but with a different edge. Vanilla and caramel are there, backed by baking spice and a subtle citrus note that carries through from the nose. There’s a slight earthiness and a touch of leather, adding just enough depth without weighing it down. The mouthfeel is dense and coating, giving it a solid presence at 106 proof.
Finish
Medium, but a bit inconsistent. Early sips feel shorter and lighter than expected, almost dipping closer to a lower proof experience. As it opens up, more oak and warmth start to show, bringing a better balance. Still, this is where it falls off slightly compared to Knob Creek’s higher-aged expressions.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
6.5 / 10 - Above Average
Knob Creek Blender’s Edition No. 1 is a solid, slightly different take on a familiar profile. The added sweetness and citrus notes give it a lighter, more approachable feel, but that same shift pulls it away from the deeper, oak-driven character many Knob Creek fans look for.
At around $45, it’s priced right in line with Knob Creek 9 Year, and that’s exactly where it drinks. If you enjoy that bottle and want something just a bit more experimental, this is worth a try.
It may not replace your go-to Knob Creek, but it proves there’s still room to explore within a well-established profile. And if this turns into a series, that’s where things could get really interesting.
