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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Old Forester 100 Proof
On paper Knob Creek 9 Year and Old Forester 100 Proof are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$35 – $40 vs. ~$26 – $32) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 | ~$26 – $32 ~$9 less |
- 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).