Knob Creek Blenders Edition is a 10 year, 106 proof Kentucky straight bourbon from Beam Suntory, priced at $44.99 MSRP. It is a small batch release that swaps the classic Knob Creek nuttiness for a sweeter, more refined profile.

Everyone and their mother has reviewed this bottle. I’m just a mother, so here we go again.

This is one of those releases that shows up on every bourbon review channel the second it drops, and for good reason. Knob Creek doesn’t typically put out something this different from their house style. The Blenders Edition is a genuine pivot. Ten years old, allegedly, and I say allegedly only because it’s written right there on the bottle. The rule is ten bucks per year of age. This thing is $44.99 retail. You do the math.

I paid the Colorado tax on mine and landed at $49.99 out the door. If you’re not familiar with the term, Colorado tax is my shorthand for the unofficial markup local stores tack onto limited and allocated releases out here. We don’t always get a ton of shelf space for the good stuff, so when it shows up, it shows up with a little extra on the tag. Not a literal tax, just a figurative one I’ve grown to accept.

Specs

• Age: 10 years
• Proof: 106
• MSRP: $44.99
• Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Release: Ongoing small batch

The wax on this thing actually cooperated, which is a small miracle in itself. Knob Creek tops fight you 99 percent of the time. This one did not. Nice pop. Tons of smoke.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Delightful right from the first sniff. Very sweet. There’s a beautiful sweet tea note running through the whole thing that I was not expecting. VOC is the whole nose, vanilla, oak, and caramel all showing up cleanly. Some citrus coming off as well, but it’s not just a lemonade situation. Think more along the lines of orange peel. Refined and inviting.

Palate

At 106 proof this drinks way lighter than it should. Cherry right up front, which is the Knob Creek surprise of the bottle. Everybody said this release didn’t have the classic Knob Creek nuttiness, and for the most part they’re right. But right at the front of the palate there’s a little bit of nut peeking through. Ayo. The sweetness carries all the way through, and there’s no harsh burn anywhere in the sip.

Finish

Clean. Sweet with those cherry notes lingering. A 10 year bourbon at this price has no right to finish this well.

How It Compares

The obvious comparison here is standard Knob Creek 9 Year. Standard Knob Creek leans into that signature nuttiness, toasted nuts, peanut, a little oak grip. The Blenders Edition throws that playbook out. One more year of age, 6 more proof points, and a completely different flavor philosophy. If you love classic Knob Creek for exactly what it is, this is going to feel off. If you want to see what Knob Creek can do when they’re not leaning on house style, this is the version.

Against Knob Creek 12 Year at $75 MSRP, the Blenders Edition at $44.99 is a genuinely better value if you’re not a proof chaser. The 12 Year has more oak depth, but the Blenders Edition is more balanced and more immediately drinkable.

Verdict

At $44.99 MSRP this is a no-brainer buy. At $49.99 after the Colorado tax, still absolutely. I would comfortably pay up to $60 or $70 for this, but don’t tell Beam Suntory because they’d probably reprice it. The local range on this one is sitting right around MSRP in most markets. Nationally it’s held steady too. My personal ceiling is $65.

If you’re a Knob Creek traditionalist, grab a pour before you commit to a bottle. This is a departure, not a refinement, and it won’t hit the same way if you came here for the classic profile.

Everyone else, go get one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Knob Creek Blenders Edition a limited release?

Knob Creek Blenders Edition has been positioned as a small batch release under the Knob Creek label. Availability varies by market, but it is not a one-time drop.

What is the MSRP for Knob Creek Blenders Edition?

$44.99 MSRP. Anything at or near that number is a buy. At 10 years and 106 proof, the price-to-age ratio is genuinely one of the best on the shelf right now.

How does Knob Creek Blenders Edition compare to standard Knob Creek 9 Year?

Completely different bourbon. Standard Knob Creek leads with that signature nuttiness and toasted oak. Blenders Edition drops most of that in favor of a sweeter, cherry-forward profile with a sweet tea note on the nose. Same distillery, same label, different philosophy entirely.

How does it compare to Knob Creek 12 Year?

Knob Creek 12 Year is 100 proof and sits at $75 MSRP. More oak, more ethanol presence on the palate. Blenders Edition is smoother, sweeter, and $30 cheaper. If you want age and depth, go 12. If you want balance and everyday drinkability at a better price, Blenders is the pick.

Does Knob Creek Blenders Edition have the classic Knob Creek nuttiness?

Mostly no. Most reviewers have called this one out as a departure from the house nuttiness, and that’s accurate. But there is a small hint of nut right at the front of the palate if you’re paying attention. It’s not the defining note anymore, but it hasn’t been surgically removed either.

Cheers.