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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Knob Creek 9 Year and Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 ~$40 less | ~$70 – $85 |
- Knob Creek 9 Year and Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 4 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 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.
- 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.
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 significantly lower price point.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea).