Knob Creek Smoked Maple
I Thought I Already Reviewed This, Maybe I Didn't
2 1570
Review by @talexander
- Nose18
- Taste16
- Finish17
- Balance19
- Overall70
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Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Knob Creek
- Type: American
- ABV: 45%
I thought I had reviewed this ages ago, but I guess I hadn't as I couldn't find it through search engines. This is the last of the bottle that's been open for a number of months (I used it mostly as a mixer). To my knowledge, it's the only flavoured bottle in the Knob Creek portfolio.
The colour is a medium copper. On the nose the dominant note is - wait for it - maple syrup. But there is a backbone of wood smoke, chicory and Mackintosh toffee. Not much else going on.
On the palate the maple is still dominant but shares the stage with oak, soft vanilla and black cherry.
The short finish is maple, oak and a hint of wood smoke. This is not great, but as far as flavoured whiskies go, it's not bad. Makes a sweet, enjoyable mixer with ginger ale (and makes a far-too-sweet Manhattan). Purchase at your peril.
Find where to buy Knob Creek whisky
That's sad to see that Beam Suntory would adulterate one of their 'Small Batch' whiskeys with additives. That can't be good for brand reputation,..except maybe for those to whom the whiskey is directed. For them maybe the name Knob Creek, over, say, Jim Beam, ups the appeal of the added-flavour whiskey brand. Thirty years ago you just didn't see this kind of additive stuff ever put into bourbon or US rye. From most reports the additive-containing products are selling very well. There are apparently more people of that taste ilk than there are connoisseurs and purists.
I see that in addition to the additive flavours that the Knob Creek in the bottle was also dumbed down to 45% ABV from 40% ABV. Sic transit gloria mundi.