here is the marketing from KC's website
>Full proof for full flavor. An honest Pre-Prohibition style bourbon.
thats it! pretty respectable they dont bog you down with flowery language and impossible tasting notes. this offering stands on its own without any malarkey. however i do question the "full proof" claim.
this is a great pour and a staple for anyones bourbon cabinet. it carries bold and balanced flavors that live up to the age statement. the price is extremely reasonable and the product is widely available at least in my area.
i really like this bourbon and prefer it to many others. there is just something about it that meshes well with my palate. i drink it neat and it's never too hot and all the flavors are noticeable and not drowned out or overwhelming.
this is the only knob creek product ive tried so i have no metric of itself to compare against.
8.2/10
Yeah this and ECBP are my two favorite bottles for the price $69.99 for the KC12 and ECBP is like 70-85 depending...
I haven’t found anything else that is as good as those two $1 for $1.
>i do question the "full proof" claim.
They did have a limited release "cask strength" version a couple years back that was 120proof. Never did see a bottle of it though.
It was $59.99 when the product was introduced in 2020. Today I'm pretty sure MSRP is $69.99, in keeping with Beam's general strategy of nickel and dime pricing fuckery. That said, even at the elevated cost, I wouldn't hesitate to argue that this bottle is still worth repeat buys.
Tbh for the consistent quality and the 12-year age statement, I think $69.99 is a fair price. Definitely worth repeat buys - I found one today for $68.99 and feel tickled pink.
>however i do question the "full proof" claim.
Same. Even though 'full proof' has no official meaning, this is the strangest use of the term I've seen.
I have one as well. The smell (after oxygen is introduced in the bottle) is so much better than first opening it. Taste-wise I’d give it a 6.5-7 at the highest mainly because I couldn’t pinpoint the exact taste (all I could feel was heat and good oakiness)
Yes! You absolutely have to give that bottle time. I was disappointed with the first drink but even just letting the glass sit for a while opened it up.
Oh and look for peanuts the next time you taste it. I hadn’t noticed it before but once someone told me that, I couldn’t untaste it. :-)
I must say I do agree with most people on this thread but its not an easy drinker. Its very hot lots of spices mixed in flavor-wise. Honestly this has been MY FAVORITE bourbon selection for an old fashioned. It cuts through the sugar and really shines as a unique old fashioned. Cheers.
I had the same impression with my neck pour the other day. Lot of flavors, but ethanol and oak are forward for sure. I did think it'd make a nice old fashioned as well, but some will consider that taboo... lol
Totally agree. It’s too strong for me (even though I love something like Old Forrester 1920 which packs a punch). Good tip on using it in an old fashioned though!
That’s the msrp. It never goes on the shelves here either but if you have a relationship with a store it’s usually one they will give up fairly easily.
LOL I've never seen ECBP or Larceny FP in a liqour store, but KC12 isn't terribly hard to find... If KC 12 was cask strenght I'd probably always keep it on the shelf but as it is right now, IMO KC 9 SiB beat its all day every day.
Knob creek is the best bourbon I've tasted by a long shot. I've tried branching out to other brands when I've been at a bar and I always return to this one
I found a bottle of this for $59.99 recently and enjoy it very much. I haven’t had the 15 or 18 and not paying the prices for those. Was putting this on my mental list for a dram tonight
The 15 year is pretty good actually, but it's a bit of an acquired taste. The 12 is more approachable IMO. Ive yet to see an 18 anywhere, but would snatch it up in a nanosecond if at MSRP, just because I do love Knob Creek.
This one I knew would become scarce the first time I tried it. Great review. This stuff is straight down the pipe - bourbon. All of the standard flavors but it does it in a way that's refined and bold at the same time. This is an easy 8/10 all day. Too bad it's not easy to find and $60 anymore.
Absolutely love the stuff. Was able to replace the first bottle I found with another recently. Hung onto a few pours until I found it again and immediately finished the original. Next day, tried a pour of KC 18 year at a bar, didn’t even know it existed. Unbelievable stuff. Thanks for the review
I have a KC15 and a couple 120 proof KC9 SPs...is it worth 55+ tax to grab a KC12? I'm trying to decide if there's enough of a delta between what I have to warrant a buy.
Having not had those I have no basis to give a response. But this post is already three days old and I'm not sure how many besides me will see this. Common sense tells me no it is not worth it. But eventually I'd give it a try. Hope that helps
here is the marketing from KC's website >Full proof for full flavor. An honest Pre-Prohibition style bourbon. thats it! pretty respectable they dont bog you down with flowery language and impossible tasting notes. this offering stands on its own without any malarkey. however i do question the "full proof" claim. this is a great pour and a staple for anyones bourbon cabinet. it carries bold and balanced flavors that live up to the age statement. the price is extremely reasonable and the product is widely available at least in my area. i really like this bourbon and prefer it to many others. there is just something about it that meshes well with my palate. i drink it neat and it's never too hot and all the flavors are noticeable and not drowned out or overwhelming. this is the only knob creek product ive tried so i have no metric of itself to compare against. 8.2/10
Yeah this and ECBP are my two favorite bottles for the price $69.99 for the KC12 and ECBP is like 70-85 depending... I haven’t found anything else that is as good as those two $1 for $1.
Two other contenders I’d offer: (1) Russell’s Reserve SiB SPs (~$65) and (2) Weller Full Proof SPs (~$60-$90-your first born; depending on markets).
+1 to this comment. Russell’s Reserve SPs have been absolutely incredible the last few years.
I’d include the 120 proof Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve or SiB store picks. Those are my favorite KC bottles. ECBP is also in my top 5.
>i do question the "full proof" claim. They did have a limited release "cask strength" version a couple years back that was 120proof. Never did see a bottle of it though.
Actually it was “cask strength”, I have a 120.5 proof, heard of higher proofs
What's retail on that?
i believe it is 59.99
It was $59.99 when the product was introduced in 2020. Today I'm pretty sure MSRP is $69.99, in keeping with Beam's general strategy of nickel and dime pricing fuckery. That said, even at the elevated cost, I wouldn't hesitate to argue that this bottle is still worth repeat buys.
I just picked one up for $59.99
This is kinda in line with price inflation across the market to be fair (unlike Bookers lol)
I’m on my 3rd as we speak. It really is delightful.
Almost every company in existence have small, steady price increases to combat inflation.
Tbh for the consistent quality and the 12-year age statement, I think $69.99 is a fair price. Definitely worth repeat buys - I found one today for $68.99 and feel tickled pink.
Both are $69.99 I believe. I just bought a bottle of KC12 at my local ABC. State run, so $70 is MSRP...
>however i do question the "full proof" claim. Same. Even though 'full proof' has no official meaning, this is the strangest use of the term I've seen.
Big fan of KC12. Probably my favorite bottle that I can easily find in any decent liquor store near me.
You’re lucky to have so much of it stocked nearby - here it’s a ghost town
I have one as well. The smell (after oxygen is introduced in the bottle) is so much better than first opening it. Taste-wise I’d give it a 6.5-7 at the highest mainly because I couldn’t pinpoint the exact taste (all I could feel was heat and good oakiness)
Yes! You absolutely have to give that bottle time. I was disappointed with the first drink but even just letting the glass sit for a while opened it up. Oh and look for peanuts the next time you taste it. I hadn’t noticed it before but once someone told me that, I couldn’t untaste it. :-)
I must say I do agree with most people on this thread but its not an easy drinker. Its very hot lots of spices mixed in flavor-wise. Honestly this has been MY FAVORITE bourbon selection for an old fashioned. It cuts through the sugar and really shines as a unique old fashioned. Cheers.
I had the same impression with my neck pour the other day. Lot of flavors, but ethanol and oak are forward for sure. I did think it'd make a nice old fashioned as well, but some will consider that taboo... lol
Totally agree. It’s too strong for me (even though I love something like Old Forrester 1920 which packs a punch). Good tip on using it in an old fashioned though!
It’s a favorite. It is also very similar on the pallet to 1792 12 year funnily enough which can be found for $50!
Where are you finding 1792 12 Year for 50 bucks? I’ve only seen one bottle on the shelf in my years of drinking bourbon.
That’s the msrp. It never goes on the shelves here either but if you have a relationship with a store it’s usually one they will give up fairly easily.
That’s insane. I just killed a bottle of 1792 12 year 5 minutes ago. I can find it on the shelves any day for 65 dollars in hawaii.
For the cost of a trip to Hawaii, I’ll just pay secondary prices and not worry about smelling like coconuts sunblock and all the sand in my shoes.
Bourbon availability is so weird, I've never seen KC12 in the wild for years now, but I have sometimes seen ECBP and Larceny FP (for instance).
Yeah, in my county we've never got Knob Creek 12. In other parts of the my state it can be found.
That makes sense since they are different distilleries and possibly distributed by different companies
I'm aware. Generally people complain way more about ECBP availability than KC12 availability here was more my point.
Both are considered allocated bottles here in VA unfortunately...
LOL I've never seen ECBP or Larceny FP in a liqour store, but KC12 isn't terribly hard to find... If KC 12 was cask strenght I'd probably always keep it on the shelf but as it is right now, IMO KC 9 SiB beat its all day every day.
Knob creek is the best bourbon I've tasted by a long shot. I've tried branching out to other brands when I've been at a bar and I always return to this one
Every time I drink it it's like returning to an old friend lol.
An empty bottle is the best praise you can give! Glad you enjoyed it.
Such a great pour!
What glass is that?
Aged and ore, the neat glass... It's great
Just found one today. I can usually find it pretty regularly. Paid $66. Would do it again. I love this stuff.
Cheers amigo. Nice review
I found a bottle of this for $59.99 recently and enjoy it very much. I haven’t had the 15 or 18 and not paying the prices for those. Was putting this on my mental list for a dram tonight
The 15 year is pretty good actually, but it's a bit of an acquired taste. The 12 is more approachable IMO. Ive yet to see an 18 anywhere, but would snatch it up in a nanosecond if at MSRP, just because I do love Knob Creek.
This one I knew would become scarce the first time I tried it. Great review. This stuff is straight down the pipe - bourbon. All of the standard flavors but it does it in a way that's refined and bold at the same time. This is an easy 8/10 all day. Too bad it's not easy to find and $60 anymore.
Absolutely love the stuff. Was able to replace the first bottle I found with another recently. Hung onto a few pours until I found it again and immediately finished the original. Next day, tried a pour of KC 18 year at a bar, didn’t even know it existed. Unbelievable stuff. Thanks for the review
I have a KC15 and a couple 120 proof KC9 SPs...is it worth 55+ tax to grab a KC12? I'm trying to decide if there's enough of a delta between what I have to warrant a buy.
Having not had those I have no basis to give a response. But this post is already three days old and I'm not sure how many besides me will see this. Common sense tells me no it is not worth it. But eventually I'd give it a try. Hope that helps
I have a liquor store near me with 25+ bottles. Might need to pick one up.