Knob Creek Nicholas Single Barrel Reserve Select Rye #1

Selecting barrels during the pandemic has been about as challenging as you would think. This is where relationships with distillers becomes even more important. Now that the bourbon shortage has reached a fever pitch, they turn away 100 requests for single barrels for every one that they accept. Clearly I’ve been in the “one” category. Well that “one” isn’t good enough. You really want to be the first of all the “ones”. What the hell does that mean?

The master distiller will select his favorite 20 or 30 barrels for all of us “one’s” to select from. Obviously the first “one” to select will get the best of the best. This was the exact situation when I selected our Knob Creek single barrel of bourbon with Master Distiller Fred Noe. While we were talking bourbon, I told him I really would kill for a Single Barrel Rye. Interestingly enough, I was told that I was the first to request one– meaning. Yup, I scored something super special and rare for the Bourbon Buyers Club.

True Whiskey and Knob Creek enthusiasts are going to go nuts for this one. Knob Creek Rye is as outstanding as it is rare but today we’re lucky enough to bring to you, my own single barrel of it. This is a big gold expression of Rye that holds nothing back. On the nose, there are hints of dill, rye and essence of charred oak. On the palate, you are hit over the head with baking spice, honey and freshly baked bread. The finish is certainly a warm “Kentucky Hug” that goes on forever.