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I was recently in the mood for some classic whiskey cocktails, and realized it’s been a while since I tried a new rye whiskey. And, after having a generally pleasant experience with their bourbon, I was eager to checkout Knob Creek Rye.
Knob Creek Rye is bottled at 100 proof after being aged for seven years, making it the youngest in Knob Creek’s line of whiskies. Although it’s a rye whiskey, its high corn mash bill adds notes commonly associated with bourbon.
❖ Spirit: Rye Whiskey
❖ Distillery: James B Beam Distilling Co.
❖ ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
❖ Aged for Seven Years
❖ Moderate Price
❖ Color: Amber
❖ Nose: Caramel, Vanilla, Nutty, little bit of heat
❖ Taste: Cherry, Spice, Pepper, Caramel, Vanilla
❖ Finish: Long, Mint, Spice, Oak
While my initial intention when picking up a bottle of Knob Creek Rye was to use it for some classic cocktails like Manhattan or Boulevardier, Knob Creek themselves reminded me that I’ve never tried another classic rye whiskey cocktail, The Scofflaw. And, I will be adding it to my regular rotation, because I loved the balance of flavors. I already knew whiskey and lemon juice were a perfect match, but I particularly enjoyed the fruit notes from the grenadine and vermouth. They added to the strong cherry notes from Knob Creek Rye, and added a fresh quality to the cocktail.
RATING: 3/5
Although I like the concept of a rye whiskey with characteristics of both rye and bourbon whiskies, I was bit disappointed in the end result of Knob Creek Rye. The evolution of flavor was novel, and I liked the nose and finish, but I wasn’t too fond of the overpowering cherry flavor on the palate. It was tolerable because it didn’t have the artificial quality I dislike in other whiskies with strong fruit notes, but it was too jarring compared to the more mellow nose and finish. The cherry notes also come through when mixed in a cocktail, so keep in mind that it might be too sweet if a recipe calls specifically for rye.
While I generally had a positive experience with Knob Creek Rye, I’m not sure if I would be willing to pay full price for another bottle. The moderate price point isn’t too far out of a comfortable price range, especially for a 100 proof whiskey, but I think I would look for a cheaper bottle or one that leans more into a traditional rye whiskey flavor. But, Knob Creek Rye is still a decent option if you are familiar with bourbon but want to ease into trying rye whiskey.
As always, drink responsibly.
SEE OUR OTHER RYE WHISKEY REVIEWS:
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