I started my day off in an unexpected manner... Dropped in at my local LS (Friday is delivery day) and got to help pick a barrel. This was my 5th with them, 3rd Knob Creek.
Tasted blind so I wouldnt be swayed by details or expectations. Nose of the first was pretty plain. Nothing off-putting, nothing exciting. Second was very alcohol forward, third was awesome. I told them I thought I already knew the winner. In fact, predicted the first two came from higher in the rickhouse, third lower and more centrally located.
Tasting, the first had a hint of the popcorn flavor that Beam products, except the well-aged ones, typically have. Second tasted like it nosed, hot. Still good flavors of oak and butterscotch and good finish, but a high proofer will need more water added when proofed down to 120 for bottling, potentially diluting other things in the process. I was right about the third, deep, rich sweetness and oak, great oily mouthfeel, long finish. Bingo.
Upon examining the details, I was kinda right. Third was right in the middle of the rickhouse, low 4th floor. The other two were similar floors (high 4, low 5) but on the outside where temp fluctuations are greater. To my surprise, all 3 were 14 year old barrels. Proofs were 133, 134, 122.
Final decision was waiting for one more customer to sample, but had been narrowed to 1 or 3. Apparently one customer drinks a lot of Craft stuff, and appreciates the grain-forward profile more. The store manager liked both, but understood the dilution and effect it has on the final bottling. Leans toward 3.
Whichever the choice is, the barrel will show up in March... IMO, these barrel picks from Knob Creek are some of the best value in bourbon. Where else can you get this kind of age and quality for $40ish. I like the value of HMcK10 and ER10 a lot too, and both are a little cheaper, but there is something special about a high proof bourbon with that kind of age...
