Knob Creek has been methodically climbing the age-statement ladder for years, and they’ve finally reached a milestone that perhaps nobody saw coming a decade ago. The brand just dropped Knob Creek 21 Year Old, which is officially the oldest whiskey ever released by James B. Beam Distilling Co., a distillery that’s been operating since Prohibition ended in 1933.
To be clear, this isn’t some flashy surprise drop either. It’s the logical next step in a progression that’s included 12, 15, and 18-year releases. But 21? That’s rarefied air for Kentucky bourbon at scale.
The Long Game Pays Off
These barrels weathered over two decades of Kentucky summers and winters before eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe decided they’d hit their peak. “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,” he said. “After I tasted the whiskey, I knew we had something special.”
Most barrels came from lower floors across Beam’s Clermont, Frankfort, and Boston campuses – strategic locations where temperature swings are less dramatic and the liquid matures slowly without getting pummeled by oak tannins.
Proof in the Details
Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek 21 sits comfortably in sipping territory without cask-strength heat. That restraint makes sense because if you push a 21-year bourbon too high, you risk amplifying wood bitterness. But keeping it at100 proof, the liquid maintains balance, letting seasoned oak, caramelized sugar, and subtle smoke come through before transitioning to deep caramel, char, and toasted oak on the palate. The finish lingers with toffee and charred wood.
The mash bill, while unconfirmed (Beam rarely discloses these details), is believed to follow their standard 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley recipe. That rye influence keeps things spicy even after 21 years.
The Age Statement Renaissance
Remember when age statements nearly disappeared from bourbon labels? That was only a decade ago. Now we’re living through a renaissance of hyper-aged expressions, and Knob Creek’s steady march through 12, 15, 18, and now 21 years proves they’ve been planning this comeback. The batch code (KC001) also suggests that this could become an ongoing release, but with limited supply and inevitable secondary market markup, don’t expect it to sit on shelves.
Spec Sheet
Whiskey: Knob Creek 21 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Mash Bill: Believed to be 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley (unconfirmed by distillery)
Maturation: 21+ years in American oak barrels; aged primarily on lower rackhouse floors across Clermont, Frankfort, and Boston campuses
Batch Code: KC001
Aroma: Seasoned oak, caramelized sugar, subtle smoke
Palate: Deep caramel, char, hints of fruit, toasted oak
Finish: Long, warm, toffee, charred wood
Presentation: Decorative keepsake box
Bottle Size: 750ml
Pricing & Availability
Knob Creek 21 Year Old is available now at select retailers nationwide for $249.99. Given the limited production and the fact that it’s the oldest release in Beam’s history, expect some retailers to tack on premiums and allocation games. Early adopters snagged bottles at September’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival before the official October launch, so if you spot one in the wild, we’d suggest that you grab it.
Recap
Knob Creek 21 Year Old
Knob Creek 21 Year Old is the oldest whiskey ever released by James B. Beam Distilling Co., bottled at 100 proof from hand-selected barrels aged over two decades on lower rackhouse floors, delivering seasoned oak, caramelized sugar, and deep caramel complexity for $250.
