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Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $85 | ~$45 – $55 ~$28 less |
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea: Bourbon that spends months rocking in a ship's hold. Each voyage tastes a little different, but expect caramel and dark sugar with a savory, faintly salty edge from the trip.
- 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 Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea if you want a conversation-piece bourbon with a savory, slightly briny twist from aging at sea.
- 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, rocks (Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).