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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Knob Creek 9 Year
Comparing Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and Knob Creek 9 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Knob Creek 9 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +3 yr | 9 years |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$35 – $40 ~$63 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Knob Creek 9 Year does 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
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Knob Creek 9 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/7 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year).