Knob Creek Twice Barreled Rye 750ML

Knob Creek Twice Barreled Rye 750ML is a 100 proof (50% ABV) Kentucky straight rye whiskey finished a second time in new, charred American oak barrels. Scoring 89 points from Whisky Advocate, this expression stands out as one of the first double-barreled ryes released by a major American distillery — a secondary maturation step that deepens its spice, caramel, and oak character well beyond a standard rye profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Clermont, Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Straight Rye, Double Barreled  |  Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery

Production & Heritage

Knob Creek falls under the Jim Beam Distillery portfolio in Clermont, Kentucky — a facility with roots stretching back to 1795 under the Beam family name. The Twice Barreled Rye begins as Knob Creek's standard straight rye whiskey, built on a mashbill believed to be at or slightly above the legal minimum of 51% rye. After its initial aging, the whiskey is transferred into new, level 4 charred American oak barrels for a secondary finishing period. This additional char exposure extracts deeper layers of caramel, vanilla, and smoky wood character that distinguish it from both the original Knob Creek Rye and most competing rye whiskeys, which rarely undergo this type of double-barrel treatment.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pronounced sweetness and baking spices before moving into oaky vanilla and a hint of candied orange. Deeper sniffs reveal gentle lilac, rye bread, and a trace of spearmint.

Taste: The palate enters full-bodied and toasty, immediately delivering dark caramel and tamarind alongside cracked pepper and classic rye spice. At mid-palate, layers of cardamom, cinnamon, fennel seed, and grilled bread develop, underscored by molasses, brown sugar, and light smoke. The overall mouthfeel is rich and slightly viscous at 100 proof, with the second barrel's char influence evident throughout.

Finish: The finish runs long and smoky, carrying a near-mesquite char note alongside lingering caramel and dark fruit. It trails off with warming spice and a subtle sweetness that holds well after each sip.

How to Drink Twice Barreled Rye

At 100 proof, this rye drinks well neat or with a single large ice cube, which gradually opens up the sweeter caramel and dark fruit notes as dilution increases. Its bold proof and layered oak character also make it a serious cocktail backbone.

• Manhattan: The smoky char and dark caramel create a richer, more oak-forward Manhattan than a standard rye delivers.
• Old Fashioned: The built-in sweetness from the second barrel means less reliance on sugar, letting the spice and molasses notes lead.
• Vieux Carré: The full body and baking spice complexity stand up to Bénédictine and sweet vermouth without getting lost in the mix.

Best For

• Rye whiskey drinkers looking to explore a bolder, oak-forward expression
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast ready to branch into high-proof rye
• Building a home bar with versatile, cocktail-proof American whiskey
• Side-by-side tastings comparing single-barrel vs. double-barrel rye profiles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Twice Barreled Rye taste like? It delivers a full-bodied combination of dark caramel, baking spices like cinnamon and cardamom, cracked pepper, and a distinctive smoky char note from the second new oak barrel. Undertones of molasses, brown sugar, and dark fruit add sweetness that balances the rye grain's natural spice.

How does Twice Barreled Rye compare to Michter's Toasted Barrel Rye? Both undergo secondary barrel finishing, but Knob Creek uses new level 4 charred barrels while Michter's uses toasted (not charred) barrels, resulting in a smokier, more caramelized profile for the Knob Creek versus the softer, more honeyed character of the Michter's. Knob Creek is bottled at a higher 100 proof compared to Michter's 107.6 proof, though the Michter's typically carries a significantly higher price point.

Is Twice Barreled Rye good for sipping neat? Yes — the 100 proof delivers substantial flavor intensity without being overly hot, and the second barrel's influence adds enough sweetness and complexity to reward slow, attentive sipping.

Where is Twice Barreled Rye made? It is produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Bullitt County, Kentucky, one of the largest bourbon and rye production facilities in the United States.

What foods pair well with Twice Barreled Rye? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the whiskey's mesquite-like char notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror its caramel and molasses sweetness. Aged cheddar or Gruyère echoes the toasty oak. Pecan pie aligns with the brown sugar and baking spice, and charcuterie boards with dried fruit bring out the dark fruit finish.

What sizes does Twice Barreled Rye come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Twice Barreled Rye worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium rye whiskey, priced above the standard Knob Creek Rye but well below limited-release competitors like Michter's Toasted Barrel Rye, making it strong value for a double-barreled, 100 proof expression with genuine production complexity.

Why Twice Barreled Rye?

The defining factor here is the secondary finishing in new, level 4 charred American oak — a process that was largely uncharted territory for rye whiskey when Knob Creek introduced this expression. That additional barrel time amplifies the caramel, smoke, and dark fruit dimensions without muting the grain's inherent spice, creating a profile that sits in its own lane among widely available American ryes. The 89-point score from Whisky Advocate confirms it delivers on both complexity and balance. For anyone who finds standard ryes too lean or one-dimensional, this bottling demonstrates what a second pass through heavy char can accomplish at a proof point that works equally well neat or in stirred cocktails.