Review #863 - Knob Creek 8 Year Single Barrel Select Rye - Wiseguy Lounge Pick 'John Gotti'

We're tried quite a few single barrel selections from Knob Creek over the years, but to this point, all of them have been bourbons. Today, we're changing things up with a Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye, specifically one that was picked by the Wiseguy Lounge.

While Knob Creek's current standard rye is aged for 7 years, this single barrel rye was aged for a total of 8 years based on the barreling and bottling dates; like all single barrel select version of Knob Creek rye, this is bottled at a strength of 57.5% ABV (115 proof).

Knob Creek 8 Year Single Barrel Select Rye - Wiseguy Lounge Pick 'John Gotti'

USA - Rye

Price: USD 60 (2023)

Age Statement: 8 Years

Strength: 57.5% ABV

Details: Warehouse 1, floor 04, rick 026; barreled March 9, 2015; bottled March 14, 2023

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 1 time; bottle at 20% fill level at time of review. Tasted in a nosing glass rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Oaky with some savory notes - almost a bit of barbecue, along with spicy black pepper. Orange fruit combines with a grain influence, and we get some dusty wood; it leans toward the dry side of the flavor spectrum.

Palate: The mouthfeel is medium-thick - good texture, and punchy flavors. Candied oranges, maraschino cherry, and cinnamon create some sweetness, while there's an herbal side with eucalyptus. Black pepper adds a kick, and oaky tannins build in intensity.

Finish: The oak is strong, but not overwhelming. Soft pepper and tannins add a prickle to the mouthfeel, and behind that, we get soft red fruit, sharp orange oil, and a hint of Campari-like bitterness. It's a medium length finish.

Final Note: This is a very solid rye that shows off a good mixture of three elements: spicy rye grain notes, relatively strong oak aging, and a nice fruity side which adds some sweetness and balance. While the oak is strong, this doesn't taste overly old, and it still has some spirity vibrance; that's not to say it tastes young, though, just not too old and complex. Good stuff overall.

Value for these rye single barrels also seems to be pretty good. Knob Creek is known for reasonable pricing as a brand, and this one is no exception - for the age and strength, we think this is a solid purchase.

Our Rating: 7.0 / 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: 7.15

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.