Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 21 Years Review.

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Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 21 Years Review.



    Knob Creek has never been shy about leaning into age, oak, and intensity, and in 2025 they took that philosophy one step further by extending their long-aged lineup to 21 years. As someone who genuinely loved the Knob Creek 18, including its bold, oak-forward profile that some found overwhelming, I was extremely curious to see what three additional years in the barrel would bring. Finding this bottle at SRP made the decision easy. This felt like a natural evolution of the Knob Creek story, and one I was excited to explore.


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/yU0Kh7Adxag.

Age Statement: 21 years.

ABV: 50%.

Mash bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.

Area of Distillation: Clermont, Kentucky.

Appearance: Deep espresso mahogany.


On the nose:
    Instantly rich and expressive. Classic Jim Beam nuttiness shows up first, leaning toward walnut and pecan rather than peanut. Dark vanilla follows, reminiscent of vanilla bean paste, alongside milk chocolate edging toward dark chocolate. The oak presence is immense, like sticking your nose into an empty barrel, but it remains inviting rather than harsh. Cinnamon sugar, allspice, dry baking spices, and a subtle orchard fruit note of apple and orange zest weave through. Altogether, it reads like pecan pie with deep caramelized sugars and toasted wood.


Taste:
    Thick, viscous, and coating. The texture is the star here. Pecan pie returns immediately, now paired with vanilla bean ice cream. Rich toffee, layered caramel, and grated dark chocolate develop mid-palate, followed by peppery spice and firm oak tannins. Leather, wood sugars, and lingering char dominate, balanced by faint orchard sweetness and a touch of citrus zest. This is not a sweet bourbon, but it is immensely rich and structured.


Finish:
    Long, warming, and deeply oaky. Tannins linger alongside dark chocolate, leather, and toasted barrel char. It is the kind of finish that commands attention and stays with you long after the sip.


Final Thoughts: 
    Knob Creek 21 Year is exactly what an old bourbon should be: bold, unapologetic, and deeply expressive of long barrel aging. At its $250 SRP, it delivers a compelling experience for fans of oak-forward whiskey. Secondary prices push it beyond what it is worth, but at or near retail, this is a bottle I would happily buy again. This is not for those who shy away from tannin and char, but for lovers of intensely aged bourbon, it delivers in spades.


Rating: A (Excellent).

Cost: $249.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/yU0Kh7Adxag. 

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

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