From Sparrow’s rye list, Knob Creek Rye is a crowd-pleaser, spicy enough to satisfy rye fans but smooth enough to win over bourbon drinkers ($12 by the pour, or $18 for a larger pour).
About Knob Creek Rye
Knob Creek Rye is aged for seven years in heavily charred barrels. Knob Creek rye is known to have a much higher amount of corn used than many other rye whiskies. This unique quality makes it approachable to Bourbon drinkers without sacrificing the spicier character that is notable from rye whiskies. It comes from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, part of the small batch family pioneered by Booker Noe, and that longer aging in heavily charred wood is a big reason it drinks so richly.
Tasting Notes
This is rye with a softer edge. The classic rye spice and pepper are there, but the higher corn content rounds it out with caramel sweetness and body, and seven years in heavily charred barrels adds toasted oak depth. The result is a balanced whiskey that bridges the gap between rye and bourbon.
What to Pair It With
Knob Creek Rye is a natural in a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned, and it sips well neat or over a large cube in our 21+ lounge. From the Sparrow dinner menu, its spice plays nicely with the American Wagyu steaks or the Sparrow-Smoked Rack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Knob Creek Rye different?
It uses a higher amount of corn than many other rye whiskeys and is aged seven years in heavily charred barrels, which makes it approachable to bourbon drinkers while keeping rye’s spicier character.
How much is a pour of Knob Creek Rye at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland it is $12 by the pour, or $18 for a larger pour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu next to pours like Knob Creek Bourbon and Knob Creek Single Barrel. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.