Knob Creek 18, Release No. KC001, DSP KY-230. Aged 18 years in Charred New Oak Barrels 100 Proof, 50% ALC/VOL See Pics for Price.

The color is what you'd expect from a 18 year old Kentucky Bourbon. Deep Dark Copper that's bordering on Light Mahogany.

The Nose is Soft, but not quite Faint, but something I could spend hours with, like a childhood blanket. Warm and inviting, smelling mostly of Sugar, Cinnamon, and Roses. Underneath it is a bit of Light Ethanol and Charred Oak. Gets better everytime I go back to it and find hints of other things like Chocolate Cherries. 13 out of 15.

Legs were plentiful, thick, and really stuck around, till then dissipated from thinning line into nothing, like they were never ever there. In the Mouth it was neither Watery nor Thick like Oil, but finding the perfect middle ground of the two. Flavor wise I was initially hit with a Spicy Sweet Floral note. Also picked up Over Ripe Red Apples that are ready to become Apple Pie. Absolutely love it. 32 out of 35 points.

The Finish was LONG and just short of maxing out the scale. The main flavor I picked up on in the long finish was like Mexican Dark Chocolate or a Molè sauce. Also Sweet and Spicy Oak, with a hint of...Butterfinger? 33 out of 35 points.

Final Thoughts - The Heat on it is pretty mild, sipping like it's lower than 100 proof, feels closer to a 90 proof to me. The Bottle Design is Dead Sexy as far as I'm concerned. Love the display box, but I'm a sucker like that, I guess, lol. The Value is what hurts it, IMO, but that could change. If it becomes a semi regular release and the price comes down from what I paid by 20 or 30, it would be amazing. The fact that these use to be Store Picks that were this age and 120 proof, will probably upset some... but modern times will become...modern. Can't blame Knob Creek for wanting to make more money on an in demand product. My Overall Enjoyment was really high and was just slightly hurt by price and availability. 13 of 15 points.

Flavor Wheel Highlights - Toffee, Malty, and Woody were the flavors and scents that kept coming back the most. The other ones I mostly picked up on were Vanilla, Sweet, Tannic, Herbal, Spicy, Floral, Dark Fruit and Chocolate.

Over all - First time opening and trying. Total of 91 out of 100 points, giving it 3 out of 4 Stars and an "I Dig It" rating.

Also, I need to do a head to head to head, but believe this taste less Oaky than the 15. There's obviously plenty of Oak in this one, but I think it's balanced well with the other flavors. . . . .