CrossRoads Knob Creek 9 Year 10 Month Cask Strength Pick: Review & Barrel Details (123.8 Proof)

Last Updated on November 16, 2025 by Justin Jones

2026 Review: Casks-n-Que Puts the CrossRoads Knob Creek Pick to the Test

Months after CrossRoads Wine & Spirits released its Knob Creek 9 Year 10 Month Cask Strength Single Barrel Select at 123.8 proof, Arkansas-based whiskey and barbecue creator Casks-n-Que put the Bryant store’s barrel through a full tasting and scored it 7.75 out of 10 overall.

The review adds considerably more detail to what we knew when the bottle was originally released, including its warehouse location, mash bill, original retail price, and a complete set of tasting notes.

Knob Creek 9 Year 10 Month Cask Strength Barrel Details

• Age: 9 years, 10 months
• Proof: 123.8
• Mash bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
• Warehouse: X
• Floor: 4
• Rick: 3
• Distillery: Jim Beam
• Original retail price: $69.99

That combination of nearly ten years in oak and 123.8 proof immediately stood out in the glass. Casks-n-Que described the bourbon’s appearance as a dark, rich amber approaching mahogany, with thick, slow-moving legs.

Nose: Peanut Brittle, Dark Sugar and Oak

The nose starts squarely in familiar Knob Creek territory. Casks-n-Que found peanut brittle, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toasted oak, and substantial barrel char, describing it as a quintessential Knob Creek and Jim Beam profile.

With more time in the glass, the review found another layer of dark cherry, leather, and tobacco leaf, giving the whiskey additional maturity and depth beyond its initial sweet and nutty character.

The review also explores the chemistry Casks-n-Que associates with Knob Creek’s recognizable roasted-peanut character, discussing the interaction between Beam’s heavy barrel char, toasted wood compounds, and caramelized wood sugars.

Palate: Thick, Rich and 123.8 Proof With Authority

On the palate, Casks-n-Que described the bourbon as thick, viscous, full-bodied, and mouth-coating. Caramel, roasted peanut, and oak arrive first, accompanied by a noticeable punch of rye spice. Despite its 123.8 proof, the whiskey was characterized as warm rather than sharp, powerful enough to demand some respect without becoming unpleasantly hot.

A second sip revealed considerably more complexity: dark chocolate, molasses, burnt sugar, and espresso bitterness, creating what the reviewer compared to a chocolate-and-espresso combination. The mid-palate develops further with cherry cola, toasted oak, and a savory pecan-like note.

Finish: Long, Warm and Oak Forward

The finish stays true to the mature Knob Creek profile: long, warm, and oak-forward, followed by lingering vanilla, barrel char, and a gradually fading spice. Casks-n-Que noted that this type of finish helps explain why Knob Creek single barrels can punch above their price, especially considering this bottle originally retailed for $69.99.

Casks-n-Que Rating: 7.75/10

• Availability: 7.5/10
• Taste: 7.75/10
• Value: 8/10
• Overall: 7.75/10

The value score may be the most significant takeaway. While Justin notes that Knob Creek is not necessarily his personal favorite within the Beam portfolio, he still calls the value at $69.99 phenomenal and ultimately describes the bottle as a great purchase. That distinction makes the review particularly useful: the 7.75 score is not coming from someone predisposed to love every Knob Creek release. Despite his personal preference, the combination of age, cask strength, complexity, and price earned the CrossRoads barrel strong marks, particularly for value.

Watch the Full Casks-n-Que Review

The complete review goes deeper into the tasting experience, the signature Knob Creek peanut profile, and how this CrossRoads selection compares with Justin’s broader experience with Jim Beam whiskey.

Original November 2025 Release

CrossRoads Wine & Spirits in Bryant, Arkansas has just dropped another heater for bourbon fans—a Knob Creek 9 Year 10 Month Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at a bold 123.8 proof. If you’re a Knob Creek fan, a cask-strength enthusiast, or a Central Arkansas bottle-chaser, this release is absolutely one to pay attention to.

🔥 Bottle Details

• Brand: Knob Creek
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 9 Years, 10 Months
• Proof: 123.8 (Cask Strength)
• Selected by: CrossRoads Wine & Spirits
• Release Date: November 15

Knob Creek has long been known for its rich, high-proof single barrel program, and this newest Arkansas release continues that reputation. Cask strength offerings are especially beloved because they come straight from the barrel—uncut, unfiltered, and full of character.

🥃 Knob Creek 9 Year 10 Month Cask Strength Review

When this bottle was released in November 2025, a full independent tasting was not yet available. Casks-n-Que has since reviewed the CrossRoads selection in detail. See the 2026 review above for tasting notes covering peanut brittle, caramel, dark cherry, chocolate, espresso, cherry cola, toasted oak, and the long, warm finish.

📍 Where to Get It

This barrel is available exclusively at:

CrossRoads Wine & Spirits
2223 N Reynolds Rd
Bryant, AR 72022

Given CrossRoads’ history of fast-selling barrel picks—especially anything in the Knob Creek line—this one is expected to move quickly.

About Knob Creek

Knob Creek, part of the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection, is known for its classic 9-year age statement and bold flavor profile. Every so often, stores select barrels that fall just shy of 10 years, and these are often some of the most balanced and expressive barrels in the program. Cask strength barrels are not part of the general market, so Arkansas releases like this are always special.