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Knob Creek Smoked Maple

I Thought I Already Reviewed This, Maybe I Didn't

2 1570

@talexanderReview by @talexander

11th Mar 2017

1

Knob Creek Smoked Maple
  • Nose
    18
  • Taste
    16
  • Finish
    17
  • Balance
    19
  • Overall
    70

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

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.

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15 comments

@Victor
Victor commented

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.

7 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

...that is, dumbed down from 50% ABV....

7 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Flavoured whiskies are very popular, not just with consumers but with bartenders as well, for cocktails. Two years ago, Johanne MacInnis (Whiskylassie) named a flavoured whisky her #1 of the year (Wiser's Hopped), above various single malt scotches and bourbons; and this Knob Creek Smoked Maple was awarded Best Flavoured Whisky in last year's World Whiskies Awards. Even my parents recommended Jim Beam Apple to me (do they even know who I am??), and a friend of mine loves Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey. Go figure.

7 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

Yep. Different strokes for different folks.

7 years ago 0

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge commented

@talexander, I'm surprised there remains a whisky you have NOT reviewed ;)

7 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@paddockjudge, @talexander, that is one very peculiar title for a whisk(e)y review. There could be many progressively more wordy follow up titles following this style going into the future, except that you'd be limited by length on the title line, and have to continue the longer and longer titles into the text of the review. This title is like Pandora's Box. Who knows what is going to come out next?

7 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

I just couldn't think of a better title. Usually my titles are great. Fantastic. Terrific. But not this one. Sad!

7 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Victor
Victor commented

@talexander, I surmise that in this case the quality of your title closely correlated with your assessment of the (sipping) quality of the whiskey being reviewed.

7 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

I kindof like it. Honest and transparent. Would that our politicians were like this.

7 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Victor
Victor commented

@Nozinan, that could be a title used for all reviews of every product in existence. And, if you are very forgetful, it could be an entirely honest title for all of those reviews.

7 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

I'm going to write the next one like I'm Donald Trump.

7 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@Victor Quite right. Just like the medical student I knew who answered every question he was asked correctly. Unfortunately, he answered with the same 3 words each time... "I don't know"... grimacing

7 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@talexander I can't wait...

7 years ago 0

@GoodVintage
GoodVintage commented

@paddockjudge so true

7 years ago 0