Blaum Bros. Distilling Co Oldfangled Knotter Bourbon Cask Strength 12 Year 750ML

Blaum Bros. Distilling Co Oldfangled Knotter Bourbon Cask Strength 12 Year 750ML is a 12-year-old cask strength straight bourbon sourced from MGP Distillery in Indiana, bottled at barrel proof (approximately 55% ABV, varying by batch). What distinguishes this release immediately is Blaum Bros.' radical transparency about sourcing — the name "Knotter" phonetically spells out "Not Our," and the label itself proclaims "The Oldest Straight Bourbon Whiskey We Never Distilled." The 12 Year expression holds a 90-point average rating on Whiskybase.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~55% (cask strength, varies by batch)  |  Origin: Galena, Illinois (sourced from Indiana)  |  Age: 12 Years  |  Bottler: Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.

Production & Heritage

Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. operates out of Galena, Illinois, where brothers Matt and Mike Blaum established their distillery. While the company produces its own spirits on-site, the Oldfangled Knotter line is an entirely different program — barrels are hand-selected from aged stocks distilled at MGP (Midwest Grain Products) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the most prolific and respected contract distilleries in American whiskey. The mashbill is not officially disclosed, though MGP is widely known for its bourbon and high-rye bourbon recipes. Bottled at cask strength without dilution, each batch carries a unique proof — documented releases have ranged from approximately 105.7 to 117.2 proof — making every bottling a snapshot of its specific barrels.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with musty, dusty oak character that signals genuine age, followed by ripe plum, clove, and vanilla. A layer of dark fruit complexity develops alongside those earthier barrel notes, creating a compelling push-pull between sweetness and depth.

Taste: The palate enters with toffee and caramelized sugar, moving quickly into a rich berry sweetness with honey at mid-palate. Cinnamon spice builds toward the peak, balancing the darker sugar notes with assertive warmth. At cask strength, there is noticeable heat, but it drives flavor rather than overwhelming it.

Finish: The finish is long, fruity, and layered, with lingering peanut funk — a hallmark often associated with well-aged MGP bourbon — that adds a savory counterpoint to the residual sweetness. Toasted oak and a trailing cinnamon spice keep the palate engaged well after each sip.

How to Drink Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year

At cask strength, a few drops of water open up the fruit and toffee notes considerably without dulling the barrel character; neat with a brief rest in the glass is the ideal starting point. That said, the proof and bold flavor profile give it serious versatility in cocktails. An Old Fashioned built with this bourbon delivers a richer, more layered version of the classic thanks to its deep caramel and cinnamon backbone. A Boulevardier benefits from the high proof holding its own against Campari and sweet vermouth. A Gold Rush (bourbon, lemon, honey syrup) lets the honey and toffee notes in the spirit amplify the cocktail's core sweetness while the barrel strength cuts through the citrus cleanly.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts who appreciate transparency in sourced whiskey
• Barrel-proof collectors seeking batch-to-batch variation
• Gifting to someone who values aged MGP bourbon stocks
• Side-by-side tasting sessions comparing sourced versus estate-distilled bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year taste like? It leads with rich caramelized toffee and dark fruit, builds into cinnamon spice at cask strength, and finishes with a distinctive peanut funk and lingering toasted oak that signals its 12 years of barrel aging.

How does Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year compare to Knob Creek Single Barrel? Both are high-proof bourbons with prominent oak and caramel profiles, but the Oldfangled Knotter carries significantly more age (12 years versus Knob Creek's 9-year standard), resulting in deeper dark fruit complexity and more pronounced barrel influence, while Knob Creek Single Barrel tends to emphasize grain sweetness and nuttiness at a consistent 120 proof.

Is Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its cask strength proof, the 12 years of aging have softened much of the raw ethanol bite, and a few drops of water unlock additional fruit and toffee complexity that makes it an excellent neat pour.

Where is Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year made? The bourbon is distilled at MGP (Midwest Grain Products) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and selected, proofed, and bottled by Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. in Galena, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the bourbon's toasted oak and toffee. Dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the sweet-savory peanut funk in the finish. Aged cheddar or Gruyère stands up to the cask strength intensity. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, caramelized sugar character. A charcuterie board with dried fruits and candied nuts bridges both the fruit and spice elements.

What sizes does Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year come in? The standard release is a 750ML bottle.

Is Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year worth the price? It positions in the premium tier for aged sourced bourbon, and the 12-year age statement at cask strength from MGP stocks represents genuine value in a market where comparable aged barrel-proof bourbons from major distilleries often command significantly higher prices or are allocated.

Why Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year?

In a bourbon landscape where many brands obscure their sourcing behind vague language, Blaum Bros. has turned transparency into a brand identity — spelling it out in the name, the label art, and the tagline. The 12-year-old MGP bourbon underneath that honest packaging delivers genuinely compelling whiskey: barrel-proof intensity, deep aged character, and the kind of batch variation that gives collectors a reason to seek out multiple releases. With a 90-point average on Whiskybase and a flavor profile that balances dark toffee sweetness against peanut funk and cinnamon spice, the Oldfangled Knotter 12 Year earns its reputation as one of the more interesting independently bottled American whiskeys available today.