Knob Creek Smoked Maple Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Following the end of the American Revolutionary War, Johannes Reginald Beam emigrated from Germany to the United States, and eventually settled in Kentucky County. At the time, Kentucky County was still considered part of Virginia, and was overseen by a military governor named John J. Bowman. After settling in Kentucky, Beam began harvesting corn and set forth a family tradition by distilling the excess grains he harvested into whiskey. Since then, seven generations of the Beam family have been involved in whiskey production for the eponymous company (the company is actually named after James Beam, who rescued it following Prohibition).Knob Creek Bourbon was created by Beams grandson, Booker Noe, who after joining the family business in 1950 was promoted to Master Distiller just ten years later. Booker talked like a true Kentuckian and was known for his contagious personality, and through his launch of the Small Batch Bourbon Collection the collection includes Knob Creek as well as Basil Haydens, Bookers and Bakers bourbons he is often credited as the father of the small batch bourbon movement.Knob Creek Bourbon takes its name from the small water source, Knob Creek, that ran through President Abraham Lincolns childhood farm. Bookers vision for Knob Creek Bourbon was that of an honest, quality bourbon that could meet the standards strength, flavor, care and patience of bourbon made before prohibition distressed the industry just decades earlier.Knob Creek Smoked Maple Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the venerable brands first foray into a flavored line. While there are a few different maple bourbons available by different distilleries, this is the first smoked maple bourbon that weve come across. It was released in honor of Booker Noe, who enjoyed not only distilling some of the first small batch bourbons, but pairing them with maple syrup, and meats he smoked himself!Like other bottles of Knob Creek, Smoked Maple Bourbon uses Kentucky limestone-filtered water, and is aged for nine years in deeply charred American white oak barrels to bring out bold flavors that harken back to the pre-Prohibition era. The maple syrup is added to the prized Knob Creek Small Batch after distillation is complete. Knob Creek Smoked Maple Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has an aroma of maple, smoke, oak, vanilla, leather, nutmeg, and roasted stone fruit. Its a bit weightier than their normal small batch bourbon, with a palate dominated by maple sugar and notes of smoked maplewood, followed by a drying woody finish that evolves into a lingering syrupy maple sweetness. Though this should probably be the last taste of the day due to its smokiness, Knob Creek Small Batch Smoked Maple shines in a cocktail or as an after dinner drink, and its equally well suited to a plate of pancakes, sausage, and bacon if thats more your style. No judgment here!Pick up your smoked maple bourbon today!