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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Comparing Knob Creek 9 Year and Barrell Foundation Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by age (9 years vs. 5 years).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Barrell Foundation Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years +4 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 ~$18 less | ~$50 – $60 |
- Knob Creek 9 Year and Barrell Foundation Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
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 Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon).