{"id":1023,"date":"2025-11-15T13:50:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T19:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkansasliquor.com\/?p=1023"},"modified":"2025-11-16T23:35:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T05:35:00","slug":"knob-creek-crossroads-november-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkansasliquor.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/15\/knob-creek-crossroads-november-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"CrossRoads Knob Creek 9 Year 10 Month Cask Strength Pick: Review & Barrel Details (123.8 Proof)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2026 Review: Casks-n-Que Puts the CrossRoads Knob Creek Pick to the Test<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knob Creek 9 Year 10 Month Cask Strength Barrel Details<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  • Age:<\/strong> 9 years, 10 months<\/li>\n
  • Proof:<\/strong> 123.8<\/li>\n
  • Mash bill:<\/strong> 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley<\/li>\n
  • Warehouse:<\/strong> X<\/li>\n
  • Floor:<\/strong> 4<\/li>\n
  • Rick:<\/strong> 3<\/li>\n
  • Distillery:<\/strong> Jim Beam<\/li>\n
  • Original retail price:<\/strong> $69.99<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nose: Peanut Brittle, Dark Sugar and Oak<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    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<\/strong>, describing it as a quintessential Knob Creek and Jim Beam profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Palate: Thick, Rich and 123.8 Proof With Authority<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    On the palate, Casks-n-Que described the bourbon as thick, viscous, full-bodied, and mouth-coating<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A second sip revealed considerably more complexity: dark chocolate, molasses, burnt sugar, and espresso bitterness<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Finish: Long, Warm and Oak Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The finish stays true to the mature Knob Creek profile: long, warm, and oak-forward<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Casks-n-Que Rating: 7.75\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    • Availability:<\/strong> 7.5\/10<\/li>\n
    • Taste:<\/strong> 7.75\/10<\/li>\n
    • Value:<\/strong> 8\/10<\/li>\n
    • Overall:<\/strong> 7.75\/10<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      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<\/strong> and ultimately describes the bottle as a great purchase<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Watch the Full Casks-n-Que Review<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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