Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbons Knob Creek Straight Rye Whiskey NV 750ml

Look for a dry, distinctly oaky, toasty profile, with plenty of deep, dark toffee and cayenne winding into the spicy, warming finish. Dilution pulls the flavors back to vanilla and buttered toast. Small batch.

Unlike the Knob Creek bourbons (which are 9 years old), there’s no age statement with this new rye, which tastes relatively younger. It’s bracing, vibrant, and spicy. (The rye contribution is unmistakable.) Cinnamon spice and crisp mint dominate, with charcoal, botanicals, ginger, nutmeg, honeyed fruit, vanilla, and caramel. Warming spice finish. Its dynamic personality should shine in cocktails, but from a sipping, drinking neat perspective, I wish it was a little older like its siblings.