The Straight Up Features : Knob Creek's Bourbon Whiskey

Oh, bourbon, bourbon's the real stuff. I sure don't have a survey (although it's actually not a bad idea, I should run an online survey: what's your favorite type of straight up alcohol?) but if I had to guess, I'd say that outside of serious exotics, bourbon is the least favoured alcohol to drink straight among the popular classes. I'd argue more people tip mezcal straight than bourbon. Me, I don't drink bourbon any other way. In fact, the idea of mixing it strikes me as strange and unrealistic.

Bourbon is named after Bourbon County, Kentucky, where I presume it really got its footing, and Kentucky has always dominated the Bourbon world. Bourbon is an american liquor, and for once we apply standards to it like germans do beer, french do wine, and mexicans do tequila. Distilling bourbon is an art with a host of absolutes which it must adhere to. In the U.S., bourbon must be made INSIDE the U.S. of at least 51% corn grain (generally much more is used) to be labled a bourbon. To be labeled a Kentucky bourbon, it must be distilled in, of all places, Kentucky, although this is more relevant than it may seem, since bourbons brewed elsewhere are not lauded by the state name. You may purchase a bourbon from a state other than Kentucky, but then it's just a bourbon (not a Tennessee bourbon or a Louisiana bourbon). Only Kentucky bourbon is directly labled by the state of its origin. Of course, since over 90% of bourbon COMES from Kentucky, this isn't too big a problem.

While those are the official rules of the nation, the actual standards of bourbon are more complex. The age must be at least two years, but at the same time, overaging is certain to destroy a good bourbon, so they can only spend so long in the barrel. Further, the barrels in which they age must be distinct. Charred oak is the standard, and the degree of char is even relevant to the individual bourbon. Like german beer, adding flavor or other extras is flat out, ya don't do it. Bourbon is definitely a defined instution within the United States, perhaps our most relevant and traditional liquor.

Knob Creek is a true worthy among the ranks of Kentucky bourbons. A small batch whiskey, which means that it is distilled in small quantities, generally between 5-30 barrels, it's part of the Jim Beam label. A dark, hearty bourbon, you get the full benefit of its long aging and quality distilling. The ultimate pallet clenser, very little can compete with the overwhelming flavor of knob creek, and it carries a healthy dose of that slow burn that leaves you feeling the glow of a good bourbon several minutes after you stopped swallowing. At the same time, it's not gonna rip you up. Knob Creek does not leave your throat feeling like you just tried to ingest a pound of sand and pepper. For the straight up drinker, Knob Creek doesn't have to be forced into your stomach. It finds its way there peacefully, and bearing gifts.

Knob Creek is named after the childhood home of Abraham Lincoln, and probably in relation to Lincoln's brief and open to question career as a seller of liqour. But hey, who needs a freaking history lesson when they're drinking sraight bourbon? What you will want to know is that while many many alcohols (along with just about everything else in the world) of all types promote the notion that they are created using the same standards and recipes as in the days of yore, Knob Creek is one of the few where, in my opinion, the taste reflects something of that ideal. Not to say I have any idea what the whiskeys of yesteryear tasted like, but Knob Creek tastes like what I'd EXPECT a traditional whiskey, after some refinement, to taste like. I like to keep a hip flask full of it at all times. Garaunteed to improve ANY situation, Knob Creek is one of the smoothest roads to alcohol related happiness I've yet encountered.

Key facts about Knob Creek :

Alcohol Content : 100 proof. Oh YEAH! That's another reason I like Bourbon.

Age : 9 years IN the barrel. That's an old bourbon. Treat it with respect.

Price (.750) : You're going to pay about $40, sometimes even $50 for a bottle. Of course, most of you don't need but a couple of thimble-fulls to reach your limit.

Notes : This is going to sound really picky on my part, but in my opinion, whatever the outside tempurature is is the best tempurature to drink Knob Creek. Bourbon is a liqour that does more than get you drunk. People use it to keep warm, battle disease, calm nerves, etc etc. If it's freezing outside, your bourbon should be freezing. If it's warm, your bourbon should be warm. Also, it's KNOB CREEK, not bald knob, you retards (you KNOW who you are)

Final Standing : Soused.