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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | 9 years |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$95 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 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 Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/2 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
heat 8/4 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).