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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Penelope Toasted Series
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to Penelope Toasted Series and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, high-rye bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).