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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Comparing Knob Creek 9 Year and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years +3 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 106 proof (53% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 ~$15 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- Knob Creek 9 Year does 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
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/8 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
nuttiness 7/2 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).