Knob Creek Smoked Maple 750ML

Knob Creek Smoked Maple 750ML is a flavored Kentucky bourbon blending natural smoked maple with a full-bodied, 90-proof (45% ABV) whiskey base in a 750ml bottle. A Gold medal winner at the World Whiskies Awards, this expression stands out in the flavored whiskey category by leaning into savory smoke rather than pure sweetness, anchored by the robust character of Knob Creek's bourbon foundation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Clermont, Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Smoked Maple Flavored Bourbon  |  Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery

Production & Heritage

Knob Creek was launched in 1992 as a small-batch bourbon brand under the Jim Beam family of distilleries in Clermont, Kentucky, now owned by Beam Suntory. The Smoked Maple expression draws on a mashbill of approximately 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley—Jim Beam's traditional low-rye recipe—then blends the resulting bourbon with natural smoked maple flavors. The concept traces back to Booker Noe, Jim Beam's grandson and Knob Creek's creator, who was known for smoking meats in his personal smokehouse and tapping sugar maples on the family property for homemade syrup.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Smoked hickory and maple wood lead the nose, followed by earthy grain and a suggestion of mesquite. Underneath, there is a near-candied maple sweetness punctuated by piney, herbal notes.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and immediately sweet, with maple surging across the palate before giving way to a pronounced smoky mid-palate. Rich vanilla and caramel from the bourbon base emerge as the sweetness recedes, providing depth and balance against the smoke.

Finish: Medium in length, smooth in texture, and gently sweet with lingering smoky warmth. The maple and hickory notes taper gradually, leaving a clean, slightly toasted aftertaste.

How to Drink Smoked Maple

Neat or over a single large ice cube highlights the interplay between smoke and maple sweetness; a few drops of water can further open the herbal aromatics. This expression also brings an unexpected dimension to cocktails:

• Old Fashioned — The built-in maple sweetness reduces the need for added sugar, while the smoke adds a campfire-like complexity to the classic format.
• Maple Manhattan — Pairing with sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters creates a dessert-leaning riff where the smoky maple replaces standard bourbon's caramel tones.
• Whiskey Sour — Fresh lemon juice cuts through the maple richness, and the smoke provides a savory backbone that keeps the drink from becoming one-note sweet.

Best For

• Introducing bourbon skeptics to whiskey through an approachable, flavor-forward expression
• Fall or winter cocktail sessions built around seasonal flavors like maple and smoke
• Gifting to someone who appreciates barbecue, charcuterie, or outdoor cooking culture
• Expanding a home bar beyond standard bourbons with a versatile flavored option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Knob Creek Smoked Maple taste like? It leads with pronounced maple sweetness that transitions into a smoky, hickory-rich mid-palate, supported by vanilla and caramel from the bourbon base. The finish is smooth and slightly sweet with a lingering smokiness.

How does Smoked Maple compare to Tap 357 Canadian Maple Rye Whiskey? Tap 357 uses a Canadian rye base and focuses on a cleaner, lighter maple profile with less smoke. Knob Creek Smoked Maple is notably bolder at 90 proof versus Tap 357's 81 proof, and leans heavily into a hickory-smoked, savory character alongside its sweetness.

Is Smoked Maple good for sipping neat? Yes—the 90-proof strength gives it enough body and complexity to hold up on its own, and the balance between smoke and maple keeps it engaging without being overly sweet.

Where is Knob Creek Smoked Maple made? It is produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Bullitt County, Kentucky, one of the largest bourbon-producing facilities in the world.

What foods pair well with Smoked Maple? Smoked pulled pork or brisket mirrors the whiskey's hickory character. Pecan pie or maple bread pudding complements the sweetness without overwhelming it. Aged cheddar provides a sharp, savory counterpoint. Grilled stone fruit like peaches bridges the smoke and sweet sides. Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70%+) pairs well with the caramel and vanilla undertones.

What sizes does Smoked Maple come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Smoked Maple worth the price? Knob Creek Smoked Maple positions as a mid-range flavored bourbon that punches above many competitors in proof and complexity. Its 90-proof strength and World Whiskies Awards Gold medal place it among the better values in the flavored whiskey tier.

Why Smoked Maple?

Most flavored bourbons tilt entirely toward sweetness; Knob Creek Smoked Maple counters that trend by foregrounding genuine hickory smoke alongside its maple infusion, creating a profile closer to a savory-sweet barbecue glaze than a dessert. The 90-proof bottling strength—higher than the majority of flavored whiskeys on the market—preserves the bourbon's structure and makes it viable both neat and in stirred cocktails. A Gold medal at the World Whiskies Awards and an 89-point score from Whisky Advocate confirm critical recognition beyond casual appeal. For drinkers who want flavor without sacrificing backbone, this expression fills a gap that few competitors address.