Knob Creek is the bold, full-flavored small batch bourbon that bourbon lovers reach for, and it has a well-earned place on the shelf at Camp West in West Seattle. Where some bourbons whisper, Knob Creek speaks up, with a rich, robust profile and a higher proof that rewards a slower sip. For a cabin-inspired bar with a deep whiskey list, this is the kind of confident, classic American bourbon our regulars come back for.
About the Distillery
Knob Creek was created in 1992 by the legendary Booker Noe, grandson of Jim Beam, as part of his pioneering Small Batch Bourbon Collection. Made at the Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, it was Noe’s vision of bourbon made the way it might have tasted before Prohibition: aged longer, bottled at higher proof, and full of flavor. The brand is named for the Kentucky creek near Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home.
Style & Mash Bill
Knob Creek is a Kentucky straight bourbon made on Beam’s low-rye mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. It is patiently aged and bottled at a robust 100 proof, which is a big part of why it delivers so much more intensity than a standard pour. Maturation in new charred oak barrels gives it deep color and pronounced wood character.
Tasting Notes
The nose is rich with caramel, toasted oak, and brown sugar. On the palate, Knob Creek is full and chewy, layering dark caramel, vanilla, nutty grain, and a firm rye and oak spice, finishing long and warm with the heat you expect from a 100-proof bourbon. It is bold without being harsh.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
At full proof, Knob Creek is excellent neat or over a single large rock, which softens the heat and opens up its caramel sweetness. It also makes a standout Old Fashioned or Manhattan, where its body holds up to the other ingredients. A pour of Knob Creek is $12 at Camp West.
FAQ
What does “small batch” mean for Knob Creek?
Small batch means the bourbon is blended from a relatively limited selection of barrels chosen for consistency and flavor, rather than mass-mingled from thousands.
Is Knob Creek strong?
It is bottled at 100 proof, noticeably higher than many standard bourbons, which gives it a bolder, warmer character. A rock or a splash of water mellows it nicely.
Ready to taste it for yourself? Book a table, browse our full whiskey list, or explore the complete beverage menu.