Knob Creek: “We’re not tinkering with perfection!”- Handcrafted in Clermont, KY. – Aged 9 years-100 Proof
The internet has been active lately with news out of Kentucky that Knob Creek will soon be running out. “Yes, really and truly a shortage,” one of my sources confirmed. “But good news is, we won’t be running out completely. Knob Creek will just be a little more difficult to find this year.”
The first news I heard of this came directly from insiders in the form of an email that no doubt went out to a few others in case there was buzzing down the road of brand depletion or worse, changes in the formulation. Speculation of which began immediately and continues to occur.
“Heard” on Twitter: “Sounds a little suspect to me. I’m thinking this is just a marketing ploy to get you to buy their product now.”
Some even twisted the reading of the original email that went out and inferred Knob Creek would in fact lower the proof of their bourbon. The truth is the statement of the email specifically had this to say:
“To account for the shortage, we could lower the proof from an honest 100 to something lower, change the age statement from 9 years to 8 years and 3 months or shrink the flask-shaped bottle. If we did that though, it wouldn’t be Knob Creek. It would just be another bourbon. And Knob Creek is anything but another bourbon. In other words, we’re not jeopardizing quality to decrease costs, like so many other companies are being forced to do today.”
Knob Creek will continue to be the classic 9 year old small batch bourbon we have grown accustomed to on the rocks, neat or in our classic Manhattan. The brand’s struggle to stay solvent may not be as valiant a battle as other micro-distillers around the country lacking the big name backing of Beam Global Spirits & Wine and name recognition, but the economy still takes its toll on every spirit in one form or another. It is also the nature of something filed under the name of “Small Batch” to be exactly that…created in small batches. Knob Creek lends itself to the possibility of shortage due to someone without the insight into consumer demand nine years ago miscalculating how much to make. Increased consumer demand for the product and premium spirits in general lead to this lowered supply. What remains true is consumer’s excellent taste and Knob Creek’s ability to create this number 1-selling ultra premium bourbon have both been factors in the situation.
The company, the spirit, Knob Creek is not disappearing or going anywhere. According to the company the shortage will last through ’09 with the tightest months expected to be July and August. Even so, the people behind Knob Creek are not suggesting anyone make a run on the bourbon and stockpile it on their shelves. Announcing the shortage was not intended as a “marketing ploy” as implied by some. While some brands may “stage” shortages for promotional advantages, Knob Creek wanted to make their consumers aware of the fact the low supply issues are currently being addressed and while it is a short-term issue, in the future this would no longer be a concern.
“This is a short-term issue for the brand and, moving forward, we will be increasing the amount of Knob Creek produced to meet our loyal customers’ demand. We will continue to produce Knob Creek in small batches, there will just happen to be more small batches than before.”
The Intoxicologist take on the Knob Creek small batch bourbon becoming a little more difficult to find: there are four bourbons in Small Batch. Have you tried all four of them? Until now you may have thought Bookers, Bakers, and Basil Hayden’s were a little farther out of the Knob Creek price range. Yesterday I took a look at my local liquor store to see what that price range sits at with the economic changes going on in the industry. Knob Creek’s price has increased drastically in the past months due to many liquor stores no longer discounting the price. Is it worth it? Sure. But the price increase brings it well within reach of Basil Hayden’s. For a few dollars more why not take the next step and give Basil Hayden’s a whirl? Another dollar or two and Bakers is within reason. But the real bang for your buck lies within the Bookers.
For the average consumer just skimming the aisle Bookers bourbon may seem a little out of their price range coming in at $45 to $60 depending on the liquor store. Look at the proof of Bookers. It ranks in at 125.7 proof. Bookers is fabulous bourbon. Uncut, unfiltered, straight from the barrel, Bookers renders a deeper, more intense flavor than any of the other bourbons within the small batch category. Since Bookers needs to be cut with ice or spring water, you not only get to customize the flavor to your own palate, but your dollar value is extended with this bourbon. In today’s economy it pays to spend our dollars wisely. With small batch selections the premium flavor is testament to the spirit’s value.
The word from Knob Creek: We’re not tinkering with perfection!
Knob Creek Manhattan
The Classic Manhattan
3 parts Knob Creek Bourbon
1 part sweet vermouth
2 dashes bitters
1 stemmed maraschino cherry
Chill a stemmed cocktail (martini) glass. Pour the bourbon, vermouth and bitters into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well to blend and chill. Strain the mixture into the cocktail glass; garnish with the maraschino cherry.
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March 14, 2009 at 6:18 am