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 Beam’s 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 Hayden’s, Booker’s and Baker’s 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 Lincoln’s childhood farm. Booker’s 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. Like Abraham Lincoln himself, Booker designed Knob Creek Bourbon, to be honest, unwavering and full of character.
A quarter century ago, Booker Noe bottled the first batch of Knob Creek Bourbon, subsequently ushering in the small batch movement. The torch has since been passed on to Fred Noe. The legacy of Booker Noe lives on through Knob Creek and all of its full-flavored bourbons. In celebration of Knob Creek’s historical influence, this unfiltered cask strength single barrel bourbon is Knob Creek’s first-ever bourbon bottled at barrel strength. Holding true to the rigorous Pre-Prohibition standards, this batch is straight from the barrels at the warehouse in Clermont: uncut and unblended at 120.6-123.7 Proof.
Bottle Information: 122.6 Proof
Alcohol By Volume: 61.3%
Barreled Date: 02/25/2004
Master Distiller: Fred Noe
