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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Put Horse Soldier Barrel Strength next to Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$45 – $55 ~$32 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 7/8 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).