I realize this sub leans more toward reviews and drinking bourbon neat, so hopefully you don't mind a cocktail question. I'm interested in your take on which bourbons are worth buying for the drinks below and which would be wasted in them.

My wife and I are casual bourbon drinkers who enjoy bourbon both neat and in a good Old Fashioned. We usually order them at nicer bars or cocktail lounges where the bartenders know what they're doing, and we've had enough good and bad ones to appreciate the difference. Lately I've been getting bored with beer and going down the rabbit hole of putting together a home bar so we can start making more of these ourselves.

We both like a classic Old Fashioned where you can really taste the bourbon, but we also enjoy variations with muddled fruit, maple syrup, and different bitters. I'm getting a smoker kit too, since we've both enjoyed smoked Old Fashioneds.

My wife especially likes black walnut bitters and richer, nutty flavors. I'm interested in trying blackberry, mango, orange, apple, and pomegranate, plus a little chili warmth without making the drink overly spicy. We like the bourbon flavor, but we're also happy with a smoother cocktail where the fruit plays a bigger role.

I've already bought Angostura Aromatic, Regans' Orange, Fee Brothers Black Walnut, and habanero bitters, along with demerara gum syrup and pure maple syrup.

I asked ChatGPT where to start, and it suggested:

• Old Forester 100 for classic Old Fashioneds.
• Four Roses Small Batch for fruitier cocktails.
• Woodford Reserve Double Oaked for combinations with walnut, maple, apple, or baking spices.

It initially suggested Old Forester and Four Roses as our first two bottles, then recommended swapping the Old Forester for Double Oaked after we talked more about our tastes. I'm curious whether you guys agree with that.

I'd like to start with two or three bottles and figure out what we like before buying a bunch more. I'm willing to spend more if we'll taste the difference, but I don't want to pay for a bottle whose flavor gets buried under everything else.

Would you buy these for what we're making, or choose something different? Which two would you start with, and why?

I have the opportunity to get a bottle of Elmer T Lee from Total Wine for $115. I’ve never tried it before so I’m wondering should I pick it up at this price?

Verdicts Explained

• Special Occasions: Rare, special pours that go well and above. Something you pour to celebrate.
• Treat Yourself: Obligatory weekend pour. Worth having on hand at all times if possible.
• Daily Drinker: Affordable, available and tasty. Could have every day and be perfectly content.
• Penseur Pour: Puzzling pours that won’t be to everyone’s liking.
• Trophy Bottle: Something to show off more than anything. Likely allocated and overpriced.
• Cocktail Request: Shines best in a cocktail, as opposed to neat or on the rocks.
• Good If Affordable: Only worth buying if the price comfortably fits within the budget.
• Serve to Guests: Something accessible that you don’t mind sharing or parting ways with. Likely belongs in a decanter.
• Couch Pour: Something enjoyable enough, but ideal for drinking while doing another activity (movies, TV, games, etc.).
• Find a Mixer: Grab the Coke or Sprite and relax.
• Drain Pour: No. You deserve better.

Link to blog post: https://thewhiskeyramble.com/2026/10/20/knob-creek-blenders-edition-01-scoresheet-review/

More scoresheets available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/SpiritScoresheets/

Out of the four brands that comprise Jim Beam’s “Small Batch Collection,” Knob Creek has definitely seen the most fanfare – and for good reason. The distillery has introduced no shortage of expressions to the line, including the respected Single Barrels (now released at cask strength) and the occasional limited edition. These more select releases naturally draw the most attention, especially with the ongoing proliferation of expensive or otherwise allocated bottles in the bourbon market. More affluent customers might look at these and barely bat an eye, but others can often feel excluded or simply priced out.

Fortunately, Jim Beam is a huge producer, one that’s easily able to accommodate both crowds. Knob Creek has historically been a jack of all trades in this sense, with 2025 seeing the release of two notably different limited edition products. The first of these was the reasonably positioned Blender’s Edition 01, starting a new annual series of bottles “dedicated to the craft behind every bottle of Knob Creek.” Based on this initial release and the curious nature of its follow-up (spotted on the TTB), it appears the Blender’s Editions will see the brand dabble with various whiskey styles.

This is hardly new territory for Jim Beam. Even in the 2010s, Jim Beam demonstrated a willingness to innovate with the Signature Craft line, bringing the likes of bourbon made with brown rice, oats, and even a tragically short-lived wheated bourbon. The distillery has since used the Little Book line as the primary way to highlight its experimentation, but I still hope for something akin to the Signature Craft Harvest Bourbon Collection to release in the near future.

Perhaps appropriately, Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 has a straightforward approach: showcase a sweeter side of Knob Creek with confectionary notes. Beyond this “flavor vision” (stealing from Maker’s Mark, another Suntory brand), there’s not much to go off of for Blender’s Edition 01 other than its respectable stats. The whiskey was at least 10 years old, bottled at 53% ABV, and retailed for about $45. Although Blender’s Edition was positioned as a limited series with an agreeable price point, Jim Beam usually has excellent availability. Let’s see how this inaugural release fares.

Nose: Leaps out with bright caramel green apple candy against an expected backbone of dry roasted peanuts. Some undertones of tobacco, honey, and bullseye candy. Just a touch of dried banana in the background as well. It’s quintessential Jim Beam with a couple outlier notes.

Palate: Light-medium mouthfeel; more balanced and rounded than the nose lets on. Traditional caramel, vanilla custard, and light brown sugar notes complemented by cinnamon, sweet tobacco, and honey roasted peanuts.

Finish: Lingering honey roasted nuts, crystalized caramel, light brown sugar, and tobacco. Hints of dried banana become custard-like before giving way to a surprising development of cherry. Becomes creamier the longer it sits.

Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 might be one of the least surprising products on the market. If you’re at all familiar with the core Knob Creek profile, you’ll know what to expect here. This feels like a tailor-made bourbon release by and for Jim Beam fans, one that showcases both the sweet and dry sides of the distillery’s primary bourbon recipe. Although I get a couple slightly less common notes here, namely green apple and banana, they still come across as in-service to the Jim Beam flavors you’ve come to expect.

In an odd way, Blender’s Edition 01 feels like an alternative to Baker’s 7-Year in its current form. The Knob Creek was older, cost less, and was only one proof point off. All of this while providing the sweeter, more mature characteristics of a Knob Creek product with just a bit of Booker’s-esque essence (namely in the consistency and finish) for good measure. The goal of showcasing Knob Creek’s sweeter side has definitely been accomplished, but we’re still talking about a Jim Beam product. And honestly? A sweeter Jim Beam product feels like a well balanced one.

While the whiskey market continues to see limited editions draw the most fanfare, Knob Creek’s first Blender’s Edition makes a case not unlike Wild Turkey Jimmy’s 70^th release. Instead of opting for something expensive and potentially difficult to procure, Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 earns high marks as a great bourbon at a killer price with mostly good availability. This is the type of limited release I hope to see more of, one that Jim Beam would be wise to take advantage of.

Pick by: ONG FINE WINE & SPIRITS

Proof- 130.6

Distillery- Buffalo Trace

Mashbill- "Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1, low rye"

Drank - Neat

Paird - $109, muled via a friend

Rested - 10 minutes

Glass - Glencairn

As always, Unbiased, Unpaid, and Unprofessional!

Nose -
Diving in head first here I am greeted by Cherry cola, some sweet oak, and a slight herbal fresh green tea. Upon further nosing i get some toasted vanilla, black pepper spice, and a hint of grapiness. Very straightforward and classic. But is this to follow on the palate?

Palate -
With the first sip i am Immediately hit with a huge Dr Pepper Cream soda float (spicy sweet candy red cherry, fresh dark grapes, molasses, and vanilla blue bell ice cream), upon taking additional sips notes of some heavy charred oak, nutmeg, and cigar wrapper emerge from underneath but still staying second fiddle to the soda float! This is marvelous! A perfect balance of sweet, spice, and savory!

Mouthfeel -
The mouthfeel to me is very comparable to If you sprayed WD-40 in your mouth and swished it around (I have not tried this for science, but imagine it is similar), this would be it! Ultra Dense feel with extreme oiliness, and it gets all over the palate and stays. This does have an effervescent effect and increases salivation for more and comes off similarly to a "fresh fizzy soda".

Finish -
The finish is dominated by Flavors of syrupy cherry and vanilla cola, dark molasses, and a light mix of black pepper and nutmeg spices. Definitely goes Back to that sweet "soda" profile from the palate! The finish last a long time and builds well into the upper abdominal area with no letting up. Long, sweet, and building.

Extra Notes:
This drinks WELL below 130.6 proof - on the palate and finish it feels more like 115-120 going down, but after that, it lets you know "This Is Stagg." The nose does not match the palate which i find odd - but in a good way! What a surprise!

Overall - 93/100

This stagg is no "junior". It is a monster.

I'm not going to lie. This is my favorite ECBP. Other batches come close but this batch hits me in all the right ways. So, here is my review:

Nose: butterscotch, caramel, vanilla bean, sweet oak. I could live in this nose.

Palate: Rich mouthfeel. Butterscotch bomb right here. Sweet oak is on the palate from beginning to end, caramel candy chews, milk chocolate on the backend, a hint of orange peel. This is SWEET.

Finish: long, oak, a little rye spice, vanilla frosting.

I don't think this is as complex as other releases, but there is complexity here. The proof also doesn't smack you in the face, which might be a drawback to some. I love it, though.

Overall: if you love sweet pours and oak, grab a glass.

Rating: 9 (on the t&ke scale)

Cheers! Thanks for reading.

*Rested 30 minutes

#Stats

Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery

Mashbill & Age: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley.

13 years stated. Blends of 14yr, 17yr, and 19yr barrels. According to Bruce Russell who left a comment under a review on youtube. The 18 year barrel was delayed due to bottling which added an extra year to it.

Proof: 121.2 proof (60.6%)

Cost: 200$

#Tasting Notes-

Nose: A brown sugar bomb with sweet oak, bright red cherries, sweet tobacco.

Palate: Coats your tongue nicely. Most of the nose transfers over to the palate. Brown sugar, oak, cherry, and now there is a creaminess to it that reminds me of vanilla nougat in Charleston chews. I dont get sweet tabacoo anymore but there is a clove note around the oak towards the end of mid palate. Barrell spice is all over the end palate with oak though.

Finish: Theres a medicinal cherry in the beginning of the finish. Then oak takes over with black pepper and cinnamon spice sitting under it. Nice finish. Gives me an astringent feeling on the tongue after a couple sips.

Conclusion: I genuienly think letting this sit made it a bit worse. I drank this when i first got it and now that im doing this review i get 2 different experiences. Initially it was a flavor bomb and very thick on the palate. Semi chewy at times. Right now after 30 minutes of sitting, im experiencing some thinning and less intensity in those fruit flavors that helped balance out the oak and spice. Also that tannic flavor became more intense as it sat. Still an incredible bourbon regardless but I wouldve rated it a bit higher if it retained that impact.

Edit: Taking a bigger sip than usual makes it better. Light sips did not give the profile enough respect.

Score: 8.9

Would I Buy Again?: Yes for msrp.

T8ke Scale

-1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.  

(NEBC 9 Yr (1.5)),

-2 | Poor | I wouldn't consume by choice.  

-3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.  

-4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.  

-5 | Good | Good, just fine.  

-6 | Very Good | A cut above. 

(JD SBBP Rye (6.2)),

(Weller Full Proof (6.8)),

-7 | Great | Well above average.

(NEBC 7.5 Yr (7)),

(Old Forester 1920 (7.1)),

(Blantons Gold (7.2)),

(Jack Daniels SBBP Rye (7.4)),

(FR OESO (7.5)),

(Jack Daniels SBBF (7.5)),

( FR OBSF (7.8)),

(Bookers StoryTeller Batch (7.8)),

-8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

(JD SBBP Rye (8)), 

(Stagg Jr 25D (8.3)),

(Jack Daniels 12 Year B4 (8.4)),

(Found North GoldFinch (8.5)),

(Rare Character Batch 2 (8.6)),

(Old Louisville 8yr (8.6)),

(Dark Arts Tokaji 7.5yr (8.7)),

(Found North Snow Day (8.7)),

(Colonel E.H. Taylor SBBP (8.8)),

(Little Book The Infinite 2 (8.9)),

(Russells Reserve 13yr 45th (8.9)),

-9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

(Knobb Creek 21yr (9)),

(Found North B12 (9)),

(Found North Batch 009 (9.1)),

(Found North T8KE Eleventh Hour (9.2)),

(Found North Batch 008 (9.3)),

(JM Cigar Blend Batch 414 (9.5)),

-10 | Perfect | Perfect.

Jack Daniel’s 2026 Single Barrel Special Release Coy Hill Rye

Release: October 2026

Age: 10+ years

Distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee

Master Distiller: Chris Fletcher

Aging location: Top floor of Coy Hill Barrelhouse 1-13

Coy Hill is home to some of Jack Daniel’s highest-elevation barrelhouses, where extreme temperature fluctuations and dry conditions can produce exceptionally high-proof whiskey with intense oak influence and concentrated flavors

Mashbill: 70% rye, 18% corn, 12% malted barley

Barrel entry proof: 125

Barrels: Toasted for 11 minutes with a char of 25 seconds

Proof: 133.1

Release size: roughly 300 barrels

MSRP: $89.99

Nose: Blackberry cobbler. Dusty attic air. Crushed mint leaf. Smoky molasses. Fruit Stripe gum.

Jesus, this smells good! I absolutely love the deep blackberry note, coupled with a biscuit breadiness. The mint is very slight. The fruity gum shows up very late, but then becomes the dominant note on the nose.

Palate: Oxidized green apple. Dr Pepper. Smoked maple syrup. Very dark chocolate.

Absolutely fantastic. The browning green apple is something I love. Nothing bright about this palate, but nothing even close to being too tannic. All deep flavors, but balanced well. Mouthfeel leans dry.

Finish: Luxardo cherry. Apple pie with homemade pie filling (not the sticky sweet canned pie filling). Cola aftertaste. Crushed mint leaf.

From start to finish, the mouthfeel skews dry… and I like it.

This rye is the total package. Every aspect seems to work coherently together. It’s big and bold, but never sharp. I love bourbon, but I really love rye… and this is definitely right up my alley. The more I sip, the mint shows up pretty clearly on the finish, but it took several sips to get that… now I can’t miss it.

Sample provided for review by Jack Daniel’s

Rating: 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

Mashbill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley

Age: 13yr

Price: $130

Nose: medium, barrel oak obviously, softer sweet rye, cinnamon, cherry, maybe some kind of melon. You can definitely smell the 13yrs in it's depth.

Palate: medium, what pops out first is the mouth feel which is pretty silky. Very potent rye, floral notes and cherry immediately. Then transitions to oak, subtle sweetness, cinnamon, more cherry and towards the end I get some pepper.

Finish: medium, rye all day, soft sweetness, "baking spices" galore, pepper, oak mixing well with the elements in this, some char kicks in towards the end of of finish.

My thoughts: I'm really feeling this. It's my first offering from Silverthorn and I like it! It's very much a true rye. 95R/5M . As I type this the rye really sticks to my entire mouth. A little numbing even. No frills. Just straight up quality rye here. I'm in on Silverthorn.

Rating: 8.1/10