Bourbon & Bars

Jim Beam Distillery releases oldest bourbon yet: Knob Creek 21

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  • James B. Beam releases Knob Creek 21 Year Old, its oldest bourbon yet.
  • Limited-edition bottling at 100 proof, 750mL priced nationwide at $249.99.
  • Batch spans two generations and companies; barrels distilled under Fred Noe.

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont is hitting a new milestone: A whiskey old enough to drink.

It’s unveiled a 21-year-old bourbon, the oldest release from the distillery to date.

Knob Creek 21 Year Old is the oldest expression in the award-winning portfolio. The limited-edition bourbon has been bottled at 100 proof and will be available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $249.99 for a 750mL bottle, according to a news release.

“When we first laid this batch to rest, we weren’t chasing any specific age statement — we were focused on crafting a great bourbon, just like we always do,” said Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller.

Knob Creek 21 Year Old is the oldest release to date from the bourbon and from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Ky. The limited release will be available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $249.99.
Knob Creek 21 Year Old is the oldest release to date from the bourbon and from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Ky. The limited release will be available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $249.99. Provided

“After I tasted the whiskey, I knew we had something special. After decades in the rackhouse, the liquid developed a richness and balance we knew Knob Creek fans and whiskey enthusiasts would want to try. That’s what makes this release special: it’s bold, full of character, and embodies what Knob Creek stands for,” Noe said.

This whiskey spans two generations and companies: These barrels would have been distilled under his father, master distiller Fred Noe, before Beam was owned by Suntory, which bought it in 2014.

According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of seasoned oak and caramelized sugar with hints of smoke. On the palate, it’s balanced caramel and char with subtle fruit and a rounded mouthfeel with a long finish of toffee and charred oak.

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Janet Patton
Lexington Herald-Leader
Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. She is an award-winning business reporter who also has covered agriculture, gambling, horses and hemp. Support my work with a digital subscription
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