Part of the Jim Beam distilleries, Knob Creek claims to be The Original Small Batch distiller of Collector Bourbon. They have 4 different brand labels. The Whiskey Professor from Knob Creek led 75 people through a taste test of its brands of Bourbon, which by standard has to be made in the US, be at least 51% corn, and aged in charcoaled barrels that are never reused. Basil Hayden’s — aged 8 years, hand bottled. Elegant and soft. It had a fragrant sweet nose, caramel color, clean and dry. Add water to give it a different feel and taste. 80 proof. Knob Creek — Nutty, fuity nose, a lot of vanilla sensations, more rye based spiciness. Darker color. More tanins and bite. 100 proof. Baker’s — Aged 7 years. Silky, some vanilla notes, caramel quality, balanced. Booker’s — straight from the barrel, hand bottled, aged 6 — 8 years. Oaky, smokey, unfiltered bourbon, complex, intense with a longer finish. Aged 6 — 8 years, 126 proof. I am not a bourbon drinker, but this was a good education, and a greater appreciation for bourbon was the result.
