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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs 1792 Small Batch
Comparing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and 1792 Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | 1792 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +26 proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$26 – $34 ~$20 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and 1792 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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 Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 1792 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch).