Review #628 - Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye

Written By Me, My Wife & Whisky

A relatively new blended whisky from Jim Beam and their Knob Creek brand - this is the 'Bourbon x Rye' whisky. As the name suggests, this blend takes Knob Creek bourbon and Knob Creek rye and mixes them together; specifically, it's the 9 year old bourbon which is their standard product, and the corresponding 7 year rye, which is where we get our overall age statement of 7 years.

The rye component actually makes up the bulk of the blend: 70%, versus the 30% made up by the Kentucky straight bourbon. One thing we really like about this release is the strength - Beam chose to bottle this at a higher proof of 113 (56.5% ABV), which should give it more texture and a longer finish compared to lower strength whiskies.

Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye

USA - Blend

Price: USD 41 (2025)

Age Statement: 7 Years

Strength: 56.5% ABV

Details: Released 2024

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 3 months from a sample (thanks u/Mykkus_65 !). Tasted in a nosing glass each time, rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Nicely rounded - peanut butter, red apples, semi-dry oak, soft leather. Vanilla and almonds come in time, along with a stronger rye spice note; a hint of grain is an accent note.

Palate: A medium-thick mouthfeel; this is classic Knob Creek with salty peanut butter, leathery oak, leaning a little bit toward the dry side. Quite woody with accents of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg; in the background, there's actually soft fruits like red grape and cherry. Brown sugar adds sweetness.

Finish: Blanched almonds, raw unsalted peanuts, and hints of medicinal cherry - an interesting combination, yet quite cohesive. Tannins build from the leathery oak, and we get a bit of vanilla, cinnamon, and grain; the aftertaste has a nice cola note. It's a medium length finish.

Final Note: This is just too easy to drink - it's so well balanced and nicely rounded, and while there are some punchy flavors throughout, nothing dominates. A nice mix of oak, Beam nuttiness, and subtle fruit - this is a good blend, and the higher strength is perfect, as it adds great texture but not too much heat.

Value is excellent here - Knob Creek is generally a brand that offers very good value, and we think that this is one of the best options in their range. If you want a versatile, easy-drinking American whisky with plenty of flavor, this is a great option.

Our Average Rating: 6.7 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating: 7.73

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.

Me, My Wife & Whisky
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