Knob Creek 18 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Leather and aged oak are most prominent up front, juxtaposed against a complementary caramel sweetness. Hints of tobacco, dark fruit, and nutmeg add depth. While definitely characteristic of older bourbon, with aged oak as its focal point, the aroma has a vibrancy to it that works with its oak forwardness. Overall, this makes for a nicely constructed introduction to the sip.

PALATE

Burnt brown sugar, caramel, tobacco, and a dash of baking spices mingle over top of an aged oak base. It has a manageable, almost welcome dryness that plays into the bourbon’s aged oak base, assuring you of its high age. While its mouthfeel is a tad thinner than I would like, the palate otherwise does well to highlight the aged oak with an underlying vibrancy similar to its aroma. It’s an excellent classic combination of flavors that focuses on aged oak, but still maintains a high level of drinkability.

FINISH

Sweet caramel and brown sugar establish a greater presence in the finish, along with a more robust baking spice intensity. Fading towards dry tobacco and oak, the long finish settles on a balance between aged oak and the complementary supporting flavors. It’s very well constructed and maintains just the right amount of dryness that says it’s an older bourbon, but never overdoes it.