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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Old Forester Statesman
Comparing Knob Creek 9 Year and Old Forester Statesman reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +5 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| 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.
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/2 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
fruit 3/7 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).