It is a mash bill, a blend of corn and rye that makes up the base of many American whiskies. The Bourbon theme Old Fashioned drink is a new twist on an old drink as it used to be made strictly with rye whiskey. In fact, a general rule would be to buy Old Overholt to save money, Sazerac for an easy drinker and Rittenhouse for cocktails. This is a murderer's row of my favorite bourbons and ryes. Dickel 12 Tennessee $14.00 . Whistle Pig 10yr $23.00. You can certainly drink rye whiskey straight (neat) or on the rocks. WT's Russell's Reserve Rye and Beam's Knob Creek Rye are priced for the market that Woodford caters to. First released in 2011. was ahead of the curve compared to the rush of new ryes on the market lately. It also needs to be made from a grain mash that contains at least 50 percent rye; it can be unmalted (traditional) or malted. Knob Creek $ 17. First sip provides mild rye spice followed by rich and sweet hints of vanilla and a fruity note that tastes like apricot. Best for Old Fashioned: Woodford Reserve Rye, Best High Proof: Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye, The 8 Best Bitters for Whiskey Cocktails with Flavor, Best for Sipping: Willett Family Estate Four Year Rye, Best Kentucky: Wild Turkey Masters Keep Cornerstone, Best Top Shelf: Lock Stock & Barrel 16 Year Rye. Knob Creek is just slightly older than Woodford as a brand as it was first introduced in 1992. They are mid-shelf bourbons that are easily available at any liquor store in the country, so you shouldnt have a problem getting your hands on a bottle. All four of these are highly rated bourbons, so they must be doing something right over at Jim Beam. "Bottled at a pleasant 92 proof, this is a bottle for rye aficionados who love spice." Then the bourbon boom spilled over into rye, and Eddie Russell stepped up rye production. Anyone had this one yet, thoughts?? What I dig about them is the history. But its always fruity with a heavy dose of peppery spice that will tickle any rye lovers fancy. Color: Dark Copper. While this may be the most important part, it also happens to be my favorite. . Time for a Oliva G and some Woodford Reserve Rye. Then Prohibition decreased production and bourbon, produced from corn grown in the newly farmed Midwest, supplanted it as Americas favorite brown liquor. Barrel and Brew is here to provide insightful information around all kinds of spirits, reviews on our favorite liquor, beer, and wine, and provide recipes to make you look like the ultimate backyard bartender. I dont often serve or really enjoy rye neat, or without being part of a well-made cocktail. Knob Creek 9 Year Old: Best bourbon under $50. Distilled By: Jim Beam Distillery / Knob Creek Distilling Co. Mash bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley. Nose: Leather, caramel, vanilla, light nutty aromas as well. 5) Rittenhouse Rye (100 proof),$26.99: Rittenhouse Rye is a bartender's favorite at the price point. Mashbill: 53% Rye, 33% Corn, 14% Malted Barley. . Knob Creek Small Batch is another 100 Proof option that is great when paired with your favorite cola. 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, ten percent malted barley. WLW is typically a bit more expensive than Stagg (there are often fewer bottles available), but it is well worth the splurge if you find a bottle. The liquor is three years old and bottled at 80 proof, with a rich profile that makes it a solid choice for a whiskey and ginger, or simply poured over a hunk of ice. Nicholas McClelland is a passionate whisk(e)y drinker who has written about spirits for Mens Journal, Fatherly, and Inside Hook. As a blend, this whiskey showcases a smooth and well-rounded profile, with both spicy and sweet characteristics. The rise and fall of American rye is a long and complex tale, but as our tastes and economics wax and wane, so has the spirits popularity. Their Double Rye is a blend of two ryes, a young, two year old MGP rye with the 95 percent rye mash bill, along with a 16 year old rye with a 53 percent rye, 37 percent corn mash bill, sourced from a different distillery. Knob Creek Rye Review . First sip feels pleasantly warm with more vanilla and oak, along chocolate, a cherry note and the peanut note of the whiskeys crafted . Try it over a couple of ice cubes. Which is better? Now in its 29th year of production, Knob Creek is an unapologetic, full-flavored bourbon long-aged and barreled up at 100 proof. The Old Oscar Pepper distillery was founded in 1838 by Elijah Pepper. Price: $50. Try it on the rocks and your breath will taste like mint. Not my favorite whiskey to make cocktails as I feel it lacks the punch to deliver tasty cocktails. . If you drink rye, youve probably had some Rittenhouse. Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Family Reserve: Best high-end bottle of bourbon. Elijah Craig Rye's combination of a flavor profile with mass appeal, great price, and recognizable branding makes it a contender for becoming one of the most popular ryes on the market. Woodford Reserve, Rye $16.00. This bottling is made at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, with a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, and uses mineral-rich, iron-free water that comes from limestone deposits under the . Best Craft: Frey Ranch Bourbon. 100 proof. While ryes have to contain 51 percent rye in their mash bill, only a few use solely the single grain. The age statement was removed in 2016 but made a comeback in April 2020. Its a versatile style, great for sipping and dynamite in cocktails. Designed as basically a Holy Grail rye whiskey, each year the spirit is different while still fulfilling five criteria: single barrel, bottled at proof, powerfully complex, distinctly unique from anything they've done before, and stupendous. whistlepig rye 27. wild turkey 101 rye 8. woodford reserve rye 12. woodinville rye 13. american whiskey. Age: NAS. Led by Drew Kulsveen, Willett is a fantastic distillery. $5.00+ Courvoisier. Courvosier VSOP $17.00. There's more great rye whiskey on the market than ever before, which is excellent news for fans of the category. Its not cheap and wont be available at every store, but is worth the price for EHT completionists and seekers of unique ryes. Knob Creek Rye Whiskey (50% / 100 proof, $40) - A relatively new entry into the rye space from the folks over at Jim Beam. Knob Creek 1.75L: $55-61. It drinks nicely straight out of the bottle, with a splash of water, or after letting it breathe for a few minutes as it seems to improve over time. #3. Quick view. Overall, the Knob Creek Rye makes a good option for those who want to enjoy a good Rye Whiskey with moderate rye spice or a ryed bourbon as I would call it. [] brand was created by Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson who developed the Woodford Reserve and the Gentleman Jack while working for Brown []. Knob Creek is aged a couple years longer and it boasts a higher proof. Both bourbons are considered to be in the premium pricing segment. Knob Creek (Alternatives) is bottled at 100 proof, making it a high proof spirit, but it goes down nicely as there is no harshness or bad bite in this bourbon. Bourbon drinkers will agree that Woodford Reserve is a great everyday bourbon . Eddie Russell, Wild Turkeys master distiller, begat this master class in alchemy using a collection nine- to 11-year-old ryes. Bulleit's mash bill contains 68 percent corn, with only 4 percent malted barley. I also like WT Rye 81 but the Bulleit Rye is better in my opinion. The result is spectacular. First sip feels pleasantly warm with more vanilla and oak, along chocolate, a cherry note and the peanut note of the whiskeys crafted at the Jim Beam Distillery. Its been out for less than two years, but dont be surprised when it becomes a staple well rye at your local bar. Knob Creek is part of Jim Beam which belongs to Beam Suntory a Japanese drinks giant. It always sells out in a flash even at a whopping $600 MSRP and go on to fetch thousands on the secondhand market. The pair describe the Three Chamber Rye's taste as "Nutty, stone fruit, with a floral bouquet of lavender and chamomile.". The finish is long and pleasantly warm, rich in cinnamon, brown sugar, dried fruit and a faint rubber note lurking in the back. This rye is 51 percent rye, 37 percent corn and 12 percent barley, leading to a more complex, sweet and bold rye thats ideal for cocktails or sipping neat. Its single-barrel rye is older than most Kentucky-style ryes, lending it a tannic-rich quality that makes it absolutely delicious with fattier foods. "Rye grain experimentation, tactful fermentation practices, and historic distillation techniques yes!" #knobcreek #knobcreekrye #clermont #kentucky #rye #whiskey #saturday # . And while I have tried Double Oaked a few times over the years, this bottle will be my first chance to really dig into one of Woodford's more premium offerings. Pepper and very light fruit notes peak through. Try These Whiskeys, The Most Exciting New Bourbon and Whiskeys of 2022, Old Overholt Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye. Every year for the last nine years, WhistlePig has crafted a special "Boss Hog" release. After youve tried the Signature, do yourself a favor and reach for one of the distillery's barrel-finished ryes, which are among the most awarded in the business. Ireland and Rhoades tell Gear Patrol. The Controversy Explained, Love Buffalo Trace Bourbon? 1.5 Bourbon Market Dynamics . our process. The result is an exceptionally spicy rye that our tester loves using to kick his old fashioneds up a notch. These five choices are worth it. This expression nabbed a double gold medal at the San Francisco Spirits Competition back in 2016, and thankfully there are still some bottles to be had. $6.00+ Sazerac Rye. Discover the differences between Knob Creek Rye vs Woodford Reserve Rye in this in-depth comparison and decide which Rye Whiskey is better for You! 12 9 Isaac Bowman Port Finish (VA) 10 Jack . "We are all rye geeks here at WhistlePig, which means we are excited about what is happening over at Leopold Bros!" Unsurprisingly, the Kentucky-based distillery's rye also doesn't slack on the grain, with a whopping 95% rye mash bill. Of course, it tastes great as well black licorice, pepper, rye bread and dried fruit! This bourbon ages for 7 years in one of the few warehouses that uses heat cycling. Thats precisely why Woodford Reserve vs Knob Creek makes for such a compelling comparison. ", Meghan Ireland stayed a little closer to home when making her personal favorite pick, going with a rye from Hillrock, which is a stone's throw away from Vermont-based WhistlePig in neighboring Hudson Valley, NY. Today, Old Overholt is made in Kentucky and is owned by Beam Suntory. Still fairly smooth, though. Cognac. This should be what all lovers of Rye Whiskey are talking about. Lock Stock & Barrel uses spirit distilled from 100 percent rye cold-weather aged in charred American oak barrels long enough to get its driver's license. Woodford Reserve Rye is crafted in its own distillery in Woodford County, Kentucky. First distilled in 1895, the name was acquired by Heaven Hill in 1982, who began distilling it on-site in Kentucky. These bourbons are solid but didn't quite make our list for the 11 best bourbons for an old fashioned. Its also bottled at 100 proof, so newbies can add a bit of ice if they wish. Whistlepig Aged 15 Years, Rye $95.00. We take a look at the prices of both whiskeys in Total Wine stores across the country to determine an average price range. Knob Creek is one of four small batch bourbons produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, KY. Much like Woodford Reserve, there is a large corporation backing the production of Knob Creek Beam Suntory. So, which is cheaper, Woodford Reserve or Knob Creek? Find it literally everywhere. Please enter a valid email and try again. Knob Creek 9 Year Old Straight Bourbon. Its spicier and more robust than its bourbon counterpart and is perhaps more well-suited for fall imbibing because of these qualities. For E.H. Taylor, Jr., Buffalo Trace pays homage to the original recipe, dropping the corn and only balancing rye and barley for a spicy, clean rye. This makes it taste like a spicy version of the regular Knob Creek. His bar is deep with rare single malts, hard-to-find bourbons, and ryes, but he doesn't believe there's anything too precious to share with friends. The Woodford Rye makes a better whiskey as the added spice makes cocktails more interesting. #Cheers FOLLOW @INDIANABOURBON #INDIANABOURBON #bourbon #whiskey #whisky #bourbonporn #bourbongram #whiskygram #whiskyporn #whiskeygram #whiskeyporn #bourbonlife #wildturkey #drinkwhiskey #drinkwhisky #drinkbourbon #scotch #indiana #indianapolis #kentucky #louisville #bourbonwhiskey #bourbonbar #bourbonhunting #bartender #bourboncollection #whiskeywednesday #whiskywednesday #wildturkey101 #wildturkey101rye, A post shared by @ indianabourbon on Sep 12, 2018 at 7:27pm PDT, David Mor, beverage manager at Cindys in Chicago, Wild Turkey 101 Ryeits underrated, juicy and rich, and at a solid price point. "A solid cask finish, pot distilled, estate rye, Dave whats not to love?" As the Head Blender puts it, this whiskey which is distilled from organically-grown rye and was crafted by the late Dave Pickerell, former Master Distiller at WhistlePig, Maker's Mark and others has a whole lot going for it. William Larue Weller is definitely better than Pappy Van Winkle. Woodinville Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon "Grootinville" Review . There really isn't a price difference with Woodford Reserve vs Knob Creek. The rest 28 percent is rye grain. The main differences between Knob Creek vs Woodford Reserve are: Knob Creek is spicy, whereas Woodford Reserve is smooth and creamy. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. This makes it taste like a spicy version of the regular Knob Creek. Knob Creek Rye vs Old Overholt Rye: Which Whiskey Wins! A boozy treat, as the name implies, the whiskey is uncut. $29.99. Old Forester Rye vs Wild Turkey 101 Rye: Head to Head! It has a 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt ratio. Bottles arent always available, so if you see one, grab it off the shelf and run to the register. Updated: Dec 13, 2022. "A tasty glass neat, this whiskey's notes of apple, mint, honey, tobacco, and rye also elevate an old fashioned." Best American: High West Rendezvous Rye at drizly.com. The original version is an affordable, easy-drinking rye, but for a few dollars more, the Bonded expression is a quality upgrade and still a serious value. $5.00+ Wild Turkey LONGBRANCH. Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with natural flavors and Straight Rye Whiskey, 45-60% Alc./Vol. The peppery goodness is one you feel from the second the whiskey hits your lips, and it lasts long after you swallow the last drop. Those few extra bucks are worth it for the quality of the whiskey. $7.00+ Out of stock. General Bourbon Discussion. Crafted at the Jim Distillery, property of Beam Suntory. Regardless, you cant go wrong picking up a bottle of either Woodford Reserve or Knob Creek. (92 proof), $25.99: Utah's High West sources prominently from MGP and other producers, but goes on to impart its own distinctive touches by experimenting with different blended combinations, barrel finishes, and so forth. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. $6.00+ Woodford Reserve. Remy Martin 1738 $23.00. Utah-based High West calls Rendezvous Rye its flagship whiskey, and its certainly one most brands would love to claim. See our ethics policy. Expect this bottle to be woody and spicy, with a richer side lurking beneath. The body has a good texture, not too creamy but thick nonetheless. I sleep with a bottle next to my bed. On the third floor of the Conrad Hotel Nashville at Thistle & Rye, guests can enjoy great live music on Fridays and Saturdays, an indoor-outdoor bar, large patio and windows overlooking bustling downtown Nashville. With every sip, theres seemingly more depth to discover. If youre wondering if its hard to get it is., Our Easter Bunny . Posted March 18, 2005. Quick view. Four Roses Single Barrel: Overall best bourbon of 2022. Rare Breed Rye continues down the path of the distillery's Rare Breed Bourbon by forgoing chill filtration and bottling at a stout proof, a combination of choices that yields a full, fatty and spicy rye that fits Wild Turkey's bold flavor profile to a tee. The filtration process adds a layer of richer sweetness and char to its profile. At 100 proof and a 4-year minimum maturation, it makes for a wicked cocktail whiskey. Jefferson's Reserve. For more, check out our review on Knob Creek 12 Year Cask Strength! Im not so fond of using the Knob Creek to make cocktails as I prefer something more spicy to make cocktails. Their PiggyBack is the distillery's flagship product, and it's distilled from a 100% rye mash bill. Any Manhattan or Sazerac made with Sazerac Rye (six-year) is going to be special. For those that want the details. $8.00+ Scotch.Dewars . The mash is fermented with yeast (called a sour mash process). But what do we actually know about this less-hyped spirit? Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon. Its easy drinking to the point where one might consider using a straw. $41 at Reserve Bar. Taste: sweet honey and vanilla blend with rye spice. Made from a mash of 53% rye, 33% corn and 14% malted barley. . Bottled at a pleasant 92 proof, this is a bottle for rye aficionados who love spice. The Four-Year Rye is a single barrel offering, so each batch is different from flavors to ABV (usually from 55 to 56 percent). It showcases more of a spicy rye and oaky character than its cousin, Overholt. Pikesville six-year Straight Rye Whiskey has become my go-to as the weather cools off. Ages of the whiskeys blended together range from four to 15 years old. Knob Creek Rye vs Woodford Reserve Rye: Which is better? There are obvious exceptions, most related to older rye based bourbons that are bottled at a higher proof such as George T. Stagg. The ABV is the same as it emerged from the barrela whopping 127 proof. Ordering Willett Rye was once a strong signal to the bartender that you were in the know and a serious whiskey drinker with an appreciation of value. Its a clean rye with nuances of caramel, spice, and butterscotch. The freshest news from the food world every day. 7) Redemption Rye (92 proof),$29.99: We're getting into an MGP groove here, with Redemption Rye being another well known MGP-distilled, 95 percent rye mash bill brand. Knob Creek or Woodford Reserve: Which is better? Knob Creek bourbon whiskey is a premium spirit that has been produced in Clermont, Kentucky since the early 1990s. Knob Creek Rye. Champagne Cattier Premier Cru Rose - 750ml. . "The flavor profile: apricots and figs, butterscotch and vanilla, but rounded out by that quintessential rye spice.". It would seem that most bar menus these days feature a bourbon old fashioned, but one made with rye gives the classic cocktail a spicier edge. Rittenhouse, Rye $16.00. Rittenhouse Rye has smoothness as well as enough heat to keep you warm this winter with its 100 Proof label., Whiskey Wednesday #1: Whistlepig 10 Year Rye Whiskey finished in Bourbon barrels. #4 barrel char. TWiB: Washtucky is Suing Wilderness Trail, Acker Pays $100k Fine For Counterfeit Bourbon, Two New Kentucky Derby Bottles Released Its like that first pot of fall chili, perfectly warm spice from the first bite to the last. 1) Old Overholt (80 proof),$14.99: This is the standard bearer for giving the bottom shelf a good name. It was founded in 1996 by the Brown-Forman Corporation. 118. Are you coming to rye whiskey as a devoted bourbon drinker? Who would know better than them? $8.00+ Cocktail Spirit. . With similar flavor profiles, quality, and price, the value of each bottle is almost solely dependent upon you, the one drinking it. Hennesy VSOP $19.00. They were really similar, but the standard version seemed to have more depth and a peanut quality that the store pick didn't. Do you just want a straightforward, multipurpose rye whiskey where the flavors will shine? Theres no correct answer here as its a wholly subjective matter, but that doesnt mean we dont have opinions about it. Fever Tree Ginger Beer - 4 x 200ml. It has the ABV and spicy rye backbone required to build a full arsenal of cocktails, and also offers a touch of rich sweetness to make it well-rounded and versatile. @whistlepigwhiskey #whistlepig10yearrye #whistlepig #ryewhiskey #whiskey #whiskeylife #whiskeytown #whiskeyenthusiast #ryeenthusiast #whiskeywednesday, A post shared by Kyle Gibson (@beerforthesoul) on Aug 17, 2016 at 4:01pm PDT, Sam Cable, head bartender at P.S. The nose brings the same cherry note as the Knob Creek Bourbon along notes of rye spice and toasty oak. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best The unique mix of grains gives King Whiskey its distinct depth and bite, making it perfect for both sipping neat. On the palate the Knob Creek offers a thick texture showing a creamy body. In addition, they are fairly priced and widely available. Its relatively high proof and high corn mash bill make it a workhorse whiskey, not unlike a slightly upgraded Old Overholt. Distilled By: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Age Statement: NAS (minimum of 4 years, although its said to be 6-7 years), Mash bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley. Woodford Reserve was introduced in 1996 and has been a popular bourbon ever since. A favorite of just about everybody at WhistlePig, according to Ireland and Rhoades, is Leopold Bros.' very old-school Three Chamber Rye, which goes to great lengths to reproduce pre-prohibition-style rye by recreating a three-chamber still from old manuscripts and growing the heritage grain Abruzzi rye that was favored at the time. You can check out all of their choices below. Feeling like getting crazy and breaking out an extra couple of bucks? Knob Creek Single Barrel 14 Year Bourbon Review . According to Forbes, Woodford and Knob Creek both cracked the top 10 of sales on Drizzly for 2020 Knob Creek squeaked in at #10 while Woodford Reserve was the 3rd most popular bourbon. There are precious few bottles left, so snag one soon. It is a mash bill, a blend of corn and rye that . Knob Creek Rye makes you think about spice, oak, and . Old Forester 100 Rye $16.00. [] bourbon has many notes in common with the Knob Creek but feels a bit unrefined as it has substantial less aging, while lacking in the finish making me []. Michter's, Rye $18.00. The most profound example of this is Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Rare Rye, which is made from 100% rye. Taste: The nose transfers over to the palate. Rye novices need not apply. 1.5.1 Bourbon . Eventually, in 1993, The Brown Forman Corporation purchased the land and distillery with plans to hold on to it this time they were a previous owner from 1941-1960s, but sold it to a local farmer. When it's distilled, it must remain below 80 ABV and by the time it goes into the barrel, the percentage needs to drop to roughly somewhere below 63 percent. The rules for distilling it resemble those of bourbon whiskey, with a different mash bill. Few Rye. With the nameSazerac, you can bank on it being a go-to for classic cocktails. All of these kinds of questions will help determine which type of rye whiskey you may want. It behaves much differently than most ryes but compliments a number of other spirits and mixers. The younger ryes which are four and five years old at this point have a distinct taste and drink nicely neat or on ice. First of all, it blends a six-year rye with a 16-year-old rye, then the whiskey is put into European oak, then into port wine casks. For an upgrade in the Beam family, try the 100 proof Knob Creek Rye, which is big, bold and smooth, and very much in line with Knob Creek's bourbon. In between, cinnamon, mint, and anise swirl around sweeter notes of cocoa, vanilla, and fruit. The bottle was named runner-up for Jim Murrays 2016 World Whisky of the Year, even though its price tag stays in the $50 range. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Overall, it's a spicy rye that's mellowed out by its older, sweeter component whiskey. But once it grabs your tastebuds, you wont want to let go of your glass. 4) High West Double Rye! Knob Creek RYE. On the palate you get some rye spiciness . Its a blend of two ryes. . . Bottled at 100 proof, its a much richer glass, with tasty notes of pepper, caramel, and vanilla with a finish that lasts much longer than the original. Upon repurchasing the land and distillery in 1993, Brown-Forman refurbished the distillery and set out to produce quality whiskey. Knob Creek has vanilla and honey notes, whereas Woodford Reserve has chocolate and caramel notes. These subtle differences in grain ingredients allow the . $40 AT DRIZLY. Try it over a couple of ice cubes. So to taste their lineup is to taste differences that purely came from aging. Kelvin Collaboration Batch 1 - Bourbon finished in Sherry-Rum Casks. ", Best for Beginners: Old Forester Rye at flaviar.com, "If you dont have much rye experience, the exceptionally affordable Old Forester Rye is a good place to start.