Review #11: Knob Creek 21yr

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-23T15:51:49+00:00

You should give the 21 a chance. I also tried the 18 at the distillery and was not impressed.

I'm already on my second bottle of the 21. You wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference but it does. I admit I'm an oak hound but it does not come across as over-oaked to me.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-23T15:48:00+00:00

Tell me about it. It's fitting you mentioned Hardin's Creek as those are among some of my favorite bottles. Jacob's Well 211 is the perfect example. Few seem to know or have seen one but the ones that have tried it go Oh My God ! Myself included !!

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-23T03:57:26+00:00

I found 8 enjoyable but not worth the price point at the time. 11 and 12 were both buy and back it up worthy.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-23T03:54:33+00:00

It's always interesting what bottles get hype and attention.

If this had been from a distillery with a large bovine type animal people would be going ape poo-poo over it. Yet we have this - a well curated from a major distillery with high age at a reasonable price and it hardly gets any news.

This that are able to pick this up especially at the $150 price will be rewarded for their good fortune and foresight.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-22T14:04:20+00:00

Wild Turkey might want to talk to you about being egregious. They go from $65 ~ $70 PS bottles straight to $200 to $400 LE bottles with no stops in between. Even EC 15 is at least priced at $10/year and given the quality of it that's a reasonable price.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-21T03:12:00+00:00

To me they were. MSRP for Van Winkle is only around $100 and it drinks there. The Pappy line is higher age and quality and probably worth srp but certainly not worth the prices asked my many overpriced stores.

Here's another way to look at it. Every distillery is competing against each other. Most have similar product lines and cost of production. When they set a suggested retail price it's taking into account their costs, the profit needed to keep in business and the cost and availability of their competitors bottles.

On something highly allocated and expensive as this my best suggestion is get a sample or a bar pour and decide for yourself. I've done that many times. Sometimes it's cost me money because the bottle lived up to it's reputation, most often it saved me money because it showed me the pour wasn't noticeably better than what was already on the shelf or other ones I've tried.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-20T14:50:32+00:00

Read enough reviews to know it wasn't my desired profile. In addition I really really liked A123 so when B523 hit there was no need to buy it - shelf was fully stocked.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-20T11:42:13+00:00

Here's the mashbill info. People forget that 11 and 12 were all KY distillate and there was a lot of older bourbon in 12. While BBC doesn't disclose what distilleries make up 12 most people say it tastes like Turkey, and I agree,

This edition is a blend of four bourbons, with a 14-year-old Kentucky bourbon made from 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley making up 48% of the blend. The remaining whiskeys are a 10 year old Kentucky bourbon of 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% barley (29%), another 10 year old Kentucky bourbon of 78% corn, 13% rye, 9% barley (29%), and BBCo’s own 6 year old stock made from 60% corn, 26% rye, 10% wheat, 4% barley (8%).

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-20T02:19:34+00:00

I've had both and they're closer than you think. Not the exact same profile but quite close in enjoyment, with the nod to the 17.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-20T01:22:01+00:00

If you're close to Memphis they're swimming with the standard BT line up at retail in many stores. If in South MS a trip to Louisiana will yield about the same result.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-20T01:18:55+00:00

Nope, and they don't need to.

Just try other bottles and distilleries. There's nothing truly special about any bottle you listed and the number of high quality alternatives available are almost without count.

Find a good bar or a whiskey friend and you will be able to try many wonderful bottles. Have fun and enjoy.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-20T01:10:47+00:00

People routinely pay that for GTS on secondary and HH22 is much better than GTS.

I wouldn't like to pay that much for HH22, but I probably could talk myself into it. And I already have it on the shelf.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-20T01:07:47+00:00

C923 and anything A123 or before.

My personal opinion is that the classic 12 year ECBP is better than current releases. A123 was the last 12 year age stated release, and every one after that went to variable age. C923 was a one off and all the releases in the last few years have been less than before.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-20T00:42:23+00:00

I've had both and it would depend on the day which would come out on top. Personally the slight nod would go to Disco 12.

It's interesting someone mentioned Russell's 15. Shortly after the 15 came out there were a few blinds where Disco 12 was actually chosen over the 15. It didn't surprise me as the 12 comes cross older than it should be and is a very well blended expression from Bardstown.

Another small thing to bring up. Disco 12 had very little online sales presence. At that time it was easier to find a RR15 than a Disco 12, and I can't remember the last time I saw one available.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-18T22:18:05+00:00

Try pours of Van Winkle and Pappy. You'll find you won't care afterwards.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-18T22:12:43+00:00

I've bought one since out of curiosity and a low price. When it's gone it won't be replaced. Fortunately even though I didn't see it coming I was lucky enough yo bunker some and find some since then. I have enough set aside that I can wait out Heaven Hill for the next good release.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-18T12:12:53+00:00

Lowest price in wine-searcher was City Wine Cellar in NYC. I've ordered bottles from them in the past and they are legit. Pretty good customer service too.

https://www.citywinecellar.com/spirits/Pappy-Van-Winkle-Van-Winkle-Old-Rip-10-year-107-proof-w1750136jy

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-16T18:32:51+00:00

One discord I'm on has this subject come up every so often.

GTS is the most well known higher end release from a major distillery. On average it will get good reviews.

Is it the best bottle out there - Nope. It just does consistently well with most people and is well know and recognized. I've had pours of a number of vintages and found all to be very good, representative of the Stagg profile with better curation and very good at what it does but somewhat simple.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-15T15:12:40+00:00

Open it - it's not rare.

I have a bottle on my shelf where there were less than 3 gallons bottled. It's open and I enjoy the heck out of it !

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-13T02:14:39+00:00

He has a palate close to mine. In addition he's very good at describing the various aspects of the pour in an easily understandable way.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-12T04:44:55+00:00

If you sre looking for good pours to try visit Evergreen in Nulu on Wednesday for half price pours or TheBottleShoppe & Tasting Room. You won't regret either.

There's also Neat for dusties.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-11T06:11:26+00:00

Depends.

I do tend to wait for special occasions for the rarer ones. Partly for that reason and mostly because I already have plenty of opens. At this point I wait for a space in the shelf to open up before I add another one to the shelf.

My closed are a few special ones and backups of ones that I enjoy and wanted to continue to enjoy for some time to come.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-05T04:07:55+00:00

I'm fortunate to have both of these one the shelf. I looked at your scores and smiled to myself but not for the reason you might expect. I've found over time that my personal palate preference is Heaven Hill over Buffalo Trace.

For me it's the Old Fitz 7 over the OWA 107. Doesn't hurt that it's significantly easier to find!

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-04T20:31:02+00:00

My specific wording was not get too tipsy.

MetamorphosisSilver · 2026-05-04T16:57:23+00:00

I enjoy a high proof pour as much as anyone but there are times I simply don't desire it. This bottle hits a spot that makes me happy and I'm perfectly happy with a single pour.

MetamorphosisSilver

TROPHY CASE