What's up with Knob Creek?

See that empty bottle of Knob Creek? That's what showed up at my door today, complete with the tagline "Thanks for nothing." So, what's the issue? It seems that there is a shortage of Knob Creek bourbon which will run through most of this year.

© Colleen Graham

I know that there are a lot of Knob Creek fans, for some it is the only bourbon they will drink and for those, the sad news is that you may not be able to find it as easily in the coming months. However, the point that those behind the brand want to make is that it is not going anywhere, they simply didn't anticipate it becoming so popular. Therefore when they barreled the current reserve in 2000 they were a little short of what they are able to sell in 2009. That is where we're at now.

Bill Newlands, President of Beam Global Spirits and Wine issued this statement: "We could bottle the next batch of Knob Creek a tad earlier than nine years to satisfy demand, but that just wouldn't be right. Much as we want to keep product available, like Booker Noe we would never compromise on quality, or bottle at lower proof to fill a short-term gap."

I don't see that this will be a big issue for many people. If you're a die-hard Knob Creek drinker it may be devastating but it's good to know that the distillery isn't going to compromise just to sell. And even at that some of us may not see the impact at all. I still see plenty of Knob bottles around here but if you do see them out of stock you now know why.

Read an interview with Fred Noe of Jim Beam and Knob Creek about his family's whiskey legacy...

I'll also be covering the "Whiskey Legends" seminar at Tales of the Cocktail in 2 weeks (sorry, sold out) and you'll want to watch for what I bring back as Fred Noe, Bill Samuels Jr. (Maker's Mark), Tom Bulleit (Bulleit Bourbon) and Harlan Wheatley (Buffalo Trace) discuss bourbon and it's impact. Stay tuned for that one...

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