Compare
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years +5 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$16 – $22 ~$31 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 with an older age statement.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).