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Penelope Toasted Series vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Put Penelope Toasted Series next to Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and you have a sourced, high-rye blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
heat 5/8 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).