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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Old Forester Statesman
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to Old Forester Statesman and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | 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 | 120 proof (60% ABV) +25 proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$50 – $55 |
- 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 Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/2 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
fruit 3/7 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 8/4 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 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.
- 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 Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
- 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, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).