Knob Creek Single Barrel, 9 year old

This new single barrel expression of Knob Creek tastes very similar to the original “small batch” Knob Creek (when brought down to the same alcohol level). If anything it’s slightly drier more elegant not as heavy on the palate and more sophisticated — but I am reaching here. The similarity is a good thing because I really enjoy the original expression. Keeping in mind that no two barrels are exactly alike your decision to purchase the single barrel might just come down to whether you want to pay a little more for a higher strength version and whether knowing that it might taste a little different than the standard small batch bottling excites you. This is a stylish big broad-shouldered bourbon with a thick sweet foundation (nutty toffee pot still rum maple syrup) peppered with spice (cinnamon but also vanilla and evergreen) and dried fruit. Dry warming resinous finish. (Incidentally I would rate the small batch within a point or two and the tasting notes would be very similar.)