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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +9 proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$32 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
heat 8/7 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).