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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Knob Creek 9 Year and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years +5 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 | ~$16 – $22 ~$19 less |
- Knob Creek 9 Year and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).