Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey – 113 Proof (56.5% ABV) | 750ml

Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey is a bold, full-bodied American whiskey that brings together two of the country's most recognizable whiskey styles: Kentucky straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey. Crafted by Knob Creek, part of the renowned James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, this expression combines the rich sweetness of bourbon with the distinctive spice and complexity of rye.

Bottled at an impressive 113 proof (56.5% ABV) in a 750ml bottle, Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye delivers a robust flavor experience featuring caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spice, and peppery rye character. The combination creates a layered whiskey that balances bourbon's traditional sweetness with the sharper, more aromatic qualities of rye.

Designed for whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate both bourbon and rye, Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye offers a distinctive expression of American whiskey craftsmanship.

Key Details

Spirit Type: Blended American Whiskey

Expression: Bourbon X Rye

Producer: Knob Creek

Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Origin: Clermont, Kentucky, USA

Whiskey Components: Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Straight Rye Whiskey

Production Style: Blend of Bourbon and Rye Whiskey

Barrel Maturation: American Oak Barrel Aging

Alcohol Content: 56.5% ABV (113 Proof)

Bottle Size: 750ml

Profile: Caramel • Vanilla • Toasted Oak • Black Pepper • Cinnamon • Baking Spice • Rye Spice

Process & Aging

Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey begins with two distinct whiskey styles that have helped define American whiskey production.

The bourbon component is made from a mash bill containing at least 51% corn, providing a foundation of natural sweetness and traditional bourbon character.

The rye whiskey component is produced from a mash bill containing at least 51% rye, contributing the bold spice and aromatic complexity associated with American rye whiskey.

Both styles are distilled and matured according to their respective production requirements before being brought together.

The bourbon develops its familiar caramel, vanilla, and oak characteristics through maturation in new charred oak barrels, while the rye whiskey contributes peppery spice, herbal notes, and additional structure.

The blending process brings these complementary characteristics together in a single expression.

Rather than emphasizing only the sweetness of bourbon or the spice of rye, Bourbon X Rye is designed to showcase the interaction between both whiskey styles.

The result is a whiskey with a layered flavor profile that combines rich barrel-derived sweetness with a pronounced spicy character.

The finished whiskey is bottled at 113 proof (56.5% ABV), providing substantial intensity and body.

This higher bottling strength allows the whiskey's caramel, vanilla, oak, and rye-spice characteristics to remain prominent.

Appearance

Rich amber with deep copper highlights, reflecting the influence of oak maturation on the bourbon and rye whiskey components.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Inviting aromas of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and baking spice, accompanied by black pepper, cinnamon, and subtle rye-driven herbal notes.

Palate: Bold and full-bodied with layers of dark caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, brown sugar, cinnamon, and peppery rye spice. Bourbon sweetness provides balance against the whiskey's pronounced spicy character.

Finish: Long and warming with lingering oak, caramel, black pepper, cinnamon, and baking spice, supported by the substantial 113-proof bottling strength.

What Makes It Special

The defining characteristic of Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey is its combination of two traditional American whiskey styles in a single high-proof expression.

Bourbon and rye whiskey are closely related, but each offers a different flavor experience.

Bourbon is typically associated with caramel, vanilla, oak, and natural sweetness derived from its corn-dominant mash bill.

Rye whiskey generally emphasizes black pepper, cinnamon, herbal notes, and a more pronounced grain-spice character.

By combining both styles, Knob Creek creates a whiskey that brings together these complementary characteristics.

Another important distinction is its 113-proof bottling strength.

At 56.5% ABV, Bourbon X Rye offers greater intensity than many standard American whiskey expressions, allowing its sweetness, spice, and oak character to remain prominent.

The expression also reflects Knob Creek's broader commitment to producing full-flavored American whiskey.

Known for its robust bourbon and rye releases, Knob Creek has built its reputation around substantial whiskey character, oak maturation, and traditional distilling methods.

Bourbon X Rye expands on that philosophy by bringing two established whiskey categories together rather than presenting them separately.

For enthusiasts who regularly enjoy both bourbon and rye, this expression provides an opportunity to explore how the characteristics of each style interact within a single blend.

How to Enjoy

Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey is particularly well suited for enjoying neat or with a few drops of water.

Serving it neat allows the contrast between bourbon sweetness and rye spice to remain prominent.

At 113 proof, adding a small amount of water can soften the alcohol intensity while revealing additional aromatic complexity.

A large ice cube gradually opens the whiskey, emphasizing the balance between caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and peppery spice.

Its higher bottling strength also makes it suitable for spirit-forward whiskey cocktails.

Bourbon X Rye works particularly well in an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Boulevardier, or Whiskey Sour, where its combination of sweetness and spice can provide additional depth.

For whiskey enthusiasts interested in comparing different styles, tasting Bourbon X Rye alongside Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon and Knob Creek Rye provides an opportunity to explore the differences between bourbon, rye, and a blend of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the alcohol content of Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye?

Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey is bottled at 56.5% ABV (113 proof).

What is Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye?

Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye is a blended American whiskey that combines straight bourbon whiskey and straight rye whiskey into one expression.

Where is Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye made?

Knob Creek is produced by the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, USA.

Is Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye a bourbon or a rye whiskey?

It is a blend of bourbon and rye whiskey, rather than a standalone straight bourbon or straight rye expression.

What does Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye taste like?

Its flavor profile combines caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spice, black pepper, cinnamon, and rye spice, balancing bourbon sweetness with rye-driven intensity.

What is the difference between bourbon and rye whiskey?

Bourbon must be produced from a mash bill containing at least 51% corn, while rye whiskey must contain at least 51% rye.

Bourbon generally emphasizes sweeter caramel and vanilla characteristics, while rye whiskey typically offers more pronounced spice and herbal notes.

What makes Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye different from regular Knob Creek Bourbon?

Traditional Knob Creek Bourbon is produced as a straight bourbon whiskey.

Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye combines bourbon and rye whiskey, introducing additional peppery and herbal characteristics alongside traditional bourbon sweetness.

Is Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye high proof?

Yes. At 113 proof (56.5% ABV), Bourbon X Rye is a high-proof American whiskey with substantial intensity and body.

Is Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye barrel proof?

The expression is bottled at 113 proof, but a high bottling strength alone does not establish that a whiskey is barrel proof. The specific bottling designation should be confirmed on the producer's label.

How long is Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye aged?

The exact age of each whiskey component is not established by the product name alone. Bourbon X Rye combines mature bourbon and rye whiskey, with the final character influenced by the components selected for blending.

Is Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye good for sipping?

Yes. Its combination of caramel sweetness, oak, and rye spice makes it suitable for sipping neat, with a few drops of water, or over a large ice cube.

Is Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye good for cocktails?

Yes. Its bold 113-proof strength and balance of bourbon sweetness and rye spice make it particularly suitable for spirit-forward cocktails such as an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Boulevardier.

What size bottle is this?

This listing includes one 750ml bottle of Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey.

Pricing & Availability

This listing includes one 750ml bottle of Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey, combining straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey and bottled at 113 proof (56.5% ABV). Available now while supplies last.

Brand Story

Knob Creek is a respected American whiskey brand produced by the James B. Beam Distilling Co., part of the Beam family's long-standing Kentucky distilling heritage.

The brand was introduced in 1992 as part of the small-batch bourbon movement, helping renew interest in richly flavored, traditionally produced American whiskey.

Knob Creek was developed under the leadership of legendary Master Distiller Booker Noe, a sixth-generation member of the Beam distilling family.

Booker Noe believed that bourbon should retain the rich flavor, oak character, and substantial body associated with traditional Kentucky whiskey.

That philosophy became central to Knob Creek's identity.

The brand's flagship bourbon helped establish its reputation through extended maturation, a bold flavor profile, and a commitment to traditional bourbon production.

Over time, Knob Creek expanded its portfolio to include rye whiskey, single-barrel expressions, and other releases that showcase different aspects of American whiskey craftsmanship.

The brand remains closely associated with the Beam family's distilling legacy, including Fred Noe and Freddie Noe, who have continued the family's involvement in American whiskey production.

Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye reflects the brand's willingness to explore new expressions while maintaining its emphasis on full-bodied flavor.

By combining straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey, this expression highlights the complementary characteristics of two important American whiskey traditions.

Bottled at 113 proof (56.5% ABV), Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended American Whiskey delivers rich caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, cinnamon, black pepper, and rye spice in a bold expression of American whiskey craftsmanship.