Knob Creek Single Barrel Liquor Barn W1F06R047

Knob Creek Single Barrel Liquor Barn W1F06R047 is a 9-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 120 proof (60% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. The Knob Creek Single Barrel expression has earned a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and barrel W1F06R047 represents a hand-selected private pick from that acclaimed program — chosen for its individual character and bottled without dilution at full barrel strength.
Quick Facts: ABV: 60% (120 proof)  |  Origin: Clermont, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 9 Years  |  Distillery: Jim Beam
Production & Heritage
Knob Creek was created by the late Booker Noe — sixth-generation Jim Beam master distiller — as part of the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection. The distillery in Clermont, Kentucky traces its bourbon-making heritage to 1795. This expression uses a mashbill of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley, distilled through column stills and aged for a full nine years in new, charred American oak barrels. Private barrel selections like W1F06R047 are chosen individually for their distinctive flavor profiles, then bottled at the brand’s signature 120 proof — described by the distillery as near barrel proof — preserving the full intensity of the aging process without water reduction.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Brown sugar and caramel arrive first, followed by layers of toffee and baked apple. A pronounced rye spice builds behind the sweetness, with robust vanilla and a faint wisp of charred oak smoke.
Taste: The entry is surprisingly creamy and rich despite the high proof, opening with maple syrup, vanilla custard, and brown sugar. Mid-palate, the 13% rye asserts itself with a peppery kick that cuts through the sweetness. At its peak, toasted nuts and deep oak tannins create a full, chewy mouthfeel.
Finish: Long and warming, with waves of cinnamon bark, seasoned leather, and charred oak that linger well after the sip. The brown sugar sweetness from the palate carries through to the very end, providing balance against the heat.
How to Drink Knob Creek Single Barrel
At 120 proof, this bourbon benefits from a few drops of water or a single large ice cube to open up the aromatic complexity without drowning the barrel character. Experienced proof-forward drinkers will find plenty to explore neat. For cocktails, consider an Old Fashioned — the high proof and deep caramel backbone stand up to sugar and bitters without fading; a Boulevardier — the rich sweetness and oak spice complement Campari’s bitterness and sweet vermouth beautifully; or a Kentucky Mule — the bourbon’s cinnamon and vanilla notes pair naturally with ginger beer’s spice.
Best For
Bourbon collectors seeking a unique, unrepeatable single barrel expression
Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates barrel-proof intensity
Side-by-side tastings comparing private barrel selections against standard releases
After-dinner sipping on cool evenings when a bold, warming pour is welcome
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Knob Creek Single Barrel taste like? It delivers a rich, creamy sweetness dominated by brown sugar, vanilla, and maple syrup, balanced by rye spice, toasted oak, and a long cinnamon-leather finish. The 120-proof strength gives it considerable weight and warmth without overwhelming the underlying complexity.
How does Knob Creek Single Barrel compare to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof? Both are high-proof, age-stated Kentucky bourbons in a similar price range, but Knob Creek Single Barrel carries a fixed 120-proof bottling strength while Elijah Craig Barrel Proof varies batch to batch and often reaches higher proofs. Knob Creek’s higher rye content (13% vs. Elijah Craig’s roughly 10%) tends to deliver more peppery spice, while Elijah Craig Barrel Proof typically leans heavier into dark fruit and dense oak.
Is Knob Creek Single Barrel good for sipping neat? Yes — its nine years of aging and full-bodied sweetness provide enough depth and balance to sip straight, though a few drops of water can help tame the 120-proof heat and reveal additional nuance.
Where is Knob Creek Single Barrel made? It is produced at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Bullitt County, Kentucky, one of the largest bourbon distilleries in the world and home to the Beam family’s bourbon-making operations since 1795.
What foods pair well with Knob Creek Single Barrel? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the bourbon’s char and sweetness mirror the smoke; dark chocolate truffles, which complement the vanilla and brown sugar notes; sharp aged cheddar, whose tang contrasts the richness; pecan pie, echoing the nutty, caramelized character; and grilled stone fruit like peaches, which highlight the bourbon’s toffee and spice.
What sizes does Knob Creek Single Barrel come in? The standard bottle size for this expression is 750ml, which is the format for private barrel selections.
Is Knob Creek Single Barrel worth the price? It positions as a premium bourbon that punches well above typical offerings in its price tier — a 9-year age statement at 120 proof from a hand-selected barrel delivers the kind of depth and individuality usually found at higher price points, and its Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 92-point rating from Whisky Advocate reinforce that value.
Why Knob Creek Single Barrel?
What sets barrel W1F06R047 apart is its nature as a one-of-a-kind selection — once this barrel is gone, this exact flavor profile cannot be replicated. The Knob Creek Single Barrel program has earned serious critical recognition, including a Double Gold and Best Bourbon designation at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a 92-point score from Whisky Advocate. At nine years old and 120 proof with no water added, this is bourbon that reflects the specific conditions of its warehouse placement, the char level of its individual barrel, and the judgment of the selectors who chose it. In a category increasingly crowded with no-age-statement releases, a nine-year, barrel-strength single barrel at this level of quality represents a genuinely compelling proposition.