Knob Creek Smoked Maple Small Batch 

Knob Creek Smoked Maple is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Jim Beam’s Knob Creek line, blended with natural maple flavors for a smoky-sweet profile at 45% ABV (90 proof). Released around 2013 as a seasonal expression, it combines the brand’s high-rye bourbon base with smoked maple notes, evoking fall flavors and pairing well with desserts or cocktails.

Product Description

This full-bodied bourbon starts with Knob Creek’s signature robust mash bill (high corn and rye), infused with real maple syrup smoked over hickory for authentic wood-fired sweetness. It’s bottled at 750ml and designed for sipping neat, on the rocks, or mixing, with aromas of hickory smoke, maple wood, and earthy grains. The smooth, slightly sweet finish balances smoke and bourbon depth without overpowering heat.

Tasting Notes

Expect a thick, syrupy entry with bold maple sugar, followed by smoke, char, vanilla, and caramel, drying into woody sweetness. Vanilla, toasted nuts, and subtle spice layer in, with the smoked maple adding complexity over the bourbon’s oak and caramel base. The lingering finish is smoky and maple-dominant, making it dessert-like yet bourbon-forward.

Cocktail Ideas

• Maple Old Fashioned: Muddle sugar, bitters, and orange peel; add 2 oz Knob Creek Smoked Maple, stir with ice, strain over rocks.

• Smoked Maple Manhattan: 2 oz whisky, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes bitters; stir, strain, garnish with cherry.

• Hot Toddy: Mix with hot water, lemon, and honey for a cozy winter warmer.

Reviews Summary

Critics call it a “fall in a glass” innovation—sweet and approachable for bourbon newcomers, though some find the maple too dominant and candied neat. It’s praised for cocktail versatility and smooth smoke, earning spots as a flavored whiskey staple.