Knob Creek Idaho Barrel #4 by J. Anderson

BourbonReviewsAmerican WhiskeyKnob CreekJim BeamSingle Barrel Picks

Nov 12

Written By David Levine

Knob Creek Idaho Barrel #4 by J. Anderson

Jim Beam

Warehouse X, Floor 4, Rick 028

60% ABV/120 Proof

12 days shy of 15 years (distilled 3/25/2004, bottled 3/13/2019)

Eye: Maple syrup, medium rims and quick legs.

Nose: Fruity, strong ethanol, vanilla extract. Baked spices.

Palate: Hot at first, then the heat lessens but sticks around for the rest of the sip. Definitely a JB kind of nuttiness. Second sip is less hot and opens up berries on a tingling tongue. Vanilla builds on the palate while grape builds on the nose. Mouthfeel is coating and medium-bodied.

Finish: Long, lots of roasted nuts and red raspberry jam. Heat dissipates quickly.

Overall: Palate and finish lead this party, while the nose being tight keeps it from being a next-level pour. Fantastic.

Rating: 7.9

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)