Compare
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Willett Pot Still Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +26 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$45 – $60 |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).