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Baker’s 7 Year vs Knob Creek 9 Year
On paper Baker’s 7 Year and Knob Creek 9 Year are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$35 – $40) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Baker’s 7 Year | Knob Creek 9 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | 9 years +2 yr |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$35 – $40 ~$25 less |
- Baker’s 7 Year and Knob Creek 9 Year do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Baker’s 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Baker’s 7 Year Knob Creek 9 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 7/7 nuttiness: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Baker’s 7 Year: The gentlest of the Beam small-batch collection despite its 107 proof, thanks to an unusually creamy texture. The peanut note is present but softened, sitting under vanilla and light fruit.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Baker’s 7 Year if you want the Beam character in its smoothest, creamiest form at a real proof point.
- Go with Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year).