There are several releases every year that I often know I will not find and if I do, I am not willing to pay double or triple for them. This is one of those bottles that I thought I would not find, or if I finally did, it would be way overpriced. However, every once in a while everything comes together and you are at the right place at the right time. Today’s review comes from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. and is their newly released Knob Creek 21-Year-Old.

From the Knob Creek Website: This limited-edition release is our oldest release to date, delivering a complex, yet balanced liquid profile that redefines the standards of bourbon maturation. Our bourbon owes its rich bronze color and deep notes of caramelized oak to its extensive aging in our Kentucky rack houses. Enjoy this full-bodied Bourbon, with bold charred oak, caramel and subtle fruit notes. Proof 100.

• Distiller: Distilled and Bottled by James B. Beam Distilling Co.
• Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
• Proof: 100
• Age: 21
• Year: 2025
• 2025 MSRP: $250
• 2025 National Average: $400
• Official Website

Unfortunately, we have only seen one bottle of this in the NoCo area. Stopping on the way home from a long day of errands, I quickly ran into one of our local stores and, thankfully, it was on the shelf for only $10 over MSRP. Overall, this bottle is in no way overpowered by oak and boasts wonderful fruity notes mixed with spice and everything nice. This is a damn good, well-balanced 21-year-old Bourbon that I hope to find a second bottle of! With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Dark Fruits (Cherry/Blackberry), Orange Zest, Vanilla, Carmelized Sugar, Baking Spice, and Oak Barrel
• Palate: Cherry, Orange Peel/Zest, Vanilla, Carmelized Sugar, Baking Spice, and Toasted Oak (Not Overpowering)
• Finish: Actually quite long for the lower proof with lasting notes of Sweet Drying Oak and a Flat Vanilla Cherry Coke
• My Rating: Save It! (Holy Toledo Batman! This is a damn good, well-balanced, 21-year-old Bourbon that I want a second bottle of!)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman®