Knob Creek
Knob Creek is a premium bourbon and rye whiskey brand founded in 1992 and owned by Suntory Global Spirits, producing aged expressions, single barrel, and limited-edition whiskeys for nationwide retail and direct retailer barrel programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersDeerfield, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Knob Creek does
Knob Creek is a premium bourbon and rye whiskey brand founded in 1992 by Booker Noe as part of the James B. Beam Distilling Company's Small Batch Bourbon Collection. Operating from a distillery and headquarters in Clermont, Kentucky, the brand produces whiskeys using pre-Prohibition-style methods, including distillation at lower proof, aging in white oak barrels with a level four char, and patient aging in Kentucky rack houses. Knob Creek commits to a minimum 9-year aging standard and offers a portfolio spanning 7-year, 9-year, 12-year, 18-year, and 21-year bourbon expressions; 7-year and 10-year rye whiskeys; a Bourbon x Rye blended whiskey; single barrel and cask strength products; and a Smoked Maple flavored bourbon, with recent limited releases such as the Blender's Edition 01 series (March 2026) and 21 Year Bourbon (November 2025).
The brand generates revenue through wholesale and retail whiskey sales priced from approximately $44.99 SRP for limited editions to higher premiums for aged and cask-strength expressions. Distribution occurs through national retail chains, liquor stores, and the Single Barrel Experience program, which enables retailers to claim personalized barrels directly from the Clermont distillery. Knob Creek is a private brand operating under Suntory Global Spirits, the spirits division of Suntory Holdings, following the 2014 acquisition of Beam Inc. for approximately $16 billion. The brand serves whiskey enthusiasts seeking full-flavored bourbon and rye, as well as retailers participating in the single barrel program, with marketing channels spanning official website content, social media (Instagram @KnobCreek), earned media, and celebrity partnerships including Eli Manning and The Jack Harlow Foundation.
Knob Creek firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Knob Creek
- Legal name
- Knob Creek Distilling Company
- Website
- https://knobcreek.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Knob Creek is a premium bourbon and rye whiskey brand founded in 1992 and owned by Suntory Global Spirits, producing aged expressions, single barrel, and limited-edition whiskeys for nationwide retail and direct retailer barrel programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Knob Creek industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Bourbon and Rye Whiskey
- NAICS
- Distilleries (312140)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)
Keywords
Where Knob Creek is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Deerfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Knob Creek business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Whiskey Product Sales: Knob Creek generates revenue through the sale of its bourbon and rye whiskey products across various age statements and expressions including standard 9-year bourbon, aged variants (12, 18, 21 years), rye whiskeys (7, 10 years), cask strength expressions, and limited edition releases. Products are sold at suggested retail prices ranging from $44.99 to higher premiums for aged and limited editions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Blender's Edition 01 - Limited Series |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Jack Harlow Foundation Limited Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Core Bourbon Expressions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Knob Creek product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Knob Creek produces and sells premium Kentucky straight bourbon and rye whiskeys aged a minimum of 9 years in white oak barrels using pre-Prohibition style methods. The portfolio spans core bourbon age statements (9, 12, 18, and 21 year), rye whiskeys (7 and 10 year), single barrel and cask strength expressions, a Bourbon x Rye blend, a Smoked Maple flavored bourbon, and limited releases such as the Blender's Edition series, sold to consumers via national retail distribution.
Product overview
Knob Creek is a premium bourbon and rye whiskey brand founded in 1992 as part of the Small Batch Bourbon Collection by Booker Noe. The portfolio includes core bourbon expressions (9, 12, 18, and 21 year), rye whiskeys (7 and 10 year), blended varieties (Bourbon x Rye), single barrel selections, and flavored expressions (Smoked Maple). A new limited series, Blender's Edition, celebrates the art of blending. The brand also offers a Single Barrel Experience program for retailers and numerous cocktail recipes. All products are aged in Kentucky and bottled at various proofs, with most core expressions at 100 proof.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Knob Creek Bourbon: Core bourbon collection including 9-year, 12-year, 18-year, and 21-year expressions
- Knob Creek Rye
- Blender's Edition
- Single Barrel Experience
- Bourbon x Rye
Products and services
- 9 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey Flagship bourbon aged a minimum of 9 years in white oak barrels, bottled at 100 proof, balancing deep, pre-Prohibition-style bourbon with robust oak, smooth vanilla, and layered caramel. Targeted at adult whiskey enthusiasts.
- 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey Pre-Prohibition-style bourbon aged 12 years and bottled at 100 proof, featuring bold and spicy overtones with leathered fruits, vanilla, and caramelized wood. Targeted at premium whiskey enthusiasts.
- 18 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey Limited-edition bourbon aged 18 years in Kentucky rack houses, bottled at 100 proof, with rich copper color and deep notes of caramelized oak. Targeted at premium collectors and enthusiasts.
- 21 Year Bourbon Whiskey The oldest Knob Creek expression to date, aged 21 years in Kentucky rack houses and bottled at 100 proof, delivering a complex yet balanced liquid profile with caramelized oak, bold charred oak, caramel, and subtle fruit notes. Targeted at collectors and luxury whiskey enthusiasts.
- 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey Rye whiskey aged 7 years in deeply charred barrels and bottled at 100 proof, balancing sweet barrel notes and spicy rye character; high-corn mashbill targeted at bourbon drinkers exploring rye.
- 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey Rye whiskey aged 10 years and bottled at 100 proof, delivering pronounced flavors of char, oak, and caramel; positioned as a premium rye for sipping and high-end cocktails.
- Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Blended Whiskey Blended straight whiskey combining 30% 9-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon with 70% 7-year Kentucky Straight Rye, bottled at 113 proof, offering rich vanilla, caramel, and a touch of pepper. Targeted at enthusiasts seeking a bold blended expression.
- 9 Year Old Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Single barrel bourbon aged 9 years, bottled at 120 proof (cask strength), featuring deep vanilla, nuts, oak, and caramel notes; available through the Single Barrel Experience program for retailers and selected retail channels.
- 7 Year Old Single Barrel Reserve Rye Whiskey Single barrel rye whiskey aged 7 years, bottled individually to deliver one-of-a-kind expressions of Knob Creek rye.
- Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey Uncut, unfiltered cask strength bourbon bottled at 127.1 proof, showcasing the full flavor nuances of the Knob Creek portfolio.
- Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Single barrel cask strength rye whiskey bottled at 127.1 proof, achieving an even bolder expression of the Knob Creek rye profile.
- Smoked Maple Bourbon Whiskey Blended bourbon with natural smoked maple flavors, bottled at 90 proof, offering smoky sweetness alongside rich vanilla and caramel notes. Targeted at consumers seeking flavored bourbon.
- Knob Creek Blender's Edition 01 Bourbon Whiskey First release in a new limited-edition Blender's Edition series, aged minimum 10 years and bottled at 106 proof, designed to unlock the sweeter side of the Knob Creek profile with rich vanilla and indulgent confectionary notes. Targeted at whiskey enthusiasts and collectors of limited releases.
- Single Barrel Experience Service program that allows individual retailers to personally claim their own barrel of Knob Creek bourbon, including optional visits to the Clermont, KY distillery for the barrel claiming experience. Bottles are customized with engraved plates showing age and warehouse. Targeted at retail partners.
Quantifiable outcome
- 93 points for 21-year-old bourbon from Robb Report reviewer
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Knob Creek
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Knob Creek technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Knob Creek partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- The Jack Harlow FoundationminorKnob Creek partnered with The Jack Harlow Foundation, a Kentucky-based nonprofit founded by Grammy-nominated artist Jack Harlow, to release a limited-edition single barrel bourbon. The collaboration celebrated Jack Harlow's 'No Place Like Home Tour' with bottles hand-selected by Freddie and Fred Noe of James B. Beam Distilling Co. and Maggie and Brian Harlow of the foundation. The LTO was released in each tour city at $59.99 SRP, with proceeds supporting The Jack Harlow Foundation's work to improve Kentucky communities.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Knob Creek competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Eagle Rare: Eagle Rare is a 10-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace (Sazerac). It is a direct premium competitor to Knob Creek's 9-12 year core bourbons, with strong collector and enthusiast following.
- Old Forester: Old Forester is a heritage Kentucky bourbon brand owned by Brown-Forman, founded in 1870. It competes with Knob Creek in the premium bourbon segment, with core and aged offerings at similar price points.
- Woodford Reserve: Woodford Reserve is a premium Kentucky bourbon brand owned by Brown-Forman. It is the closest direct competitor to Knob Creek, competing head-to-head at similar age statements (7-year core, premium and double-oaked expressions) in the premium bourbon category.
- Wild Turkey: Wild Turkey is a Kentucky bourbon and rye brand owned by Campari Group, with aged expressions (Rare Breed, Russell's Reserve) competing directly against Knob Creek's aged and cask-strength portfolio.
- Bulleit Bourbon: Bulleit is a high-rye bourbon brand owned by Diageo, positioned in the premium bourbon segment alongside Knob Creek. It competes for similar shelf placement and consumer occasions in on-premise and off-premise channels.
- Buffalo Trace: Buffalo Trace is a flagship premium bourbon brand produced by the Sazerac Company. It directly competes with Knob Creek in premium aged bourbon, with overlapping age-statement offerings and strong craft positioning.
- Four Roses: Four Roses is a Kentucky bourbon brand owned by Kirin, producing single-barrel and small-batch bourbons that compete directly with Knob Creek's aged and single-barrel expressions. Similar craft heritage and premium positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Maker's Mark: Maker's Mark is a Beam-family premium bourbon brand owned by Suntory Global Spirits (Knob Creek's parent). It is a sibling brand within the same Beam portfolio, competing for similar consumers but at a slightly lower age and proof profile.
Emerging players
- Michter's: Michter's is a premium American whiskey brand (bourbon, rye, sour mash) that competes with Knob Creek in the super-premium tier through limited releases and small-batch production. A rising craft competitor in the same age-statement premium segment.
- Elijah Craig: Elijah Craig is a premium bourbon and rye brand owned by Heaven Hill, with aged small-batch offerings. It competes with Knob Creek in the premium and super-premium bourbon tier, particularly in the 12-18 year age range.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Knob Creek social profiles
Digital presenceKnob Creek financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Knob Creek leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Knob Creek funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Knob Creek M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Knob Creek
What does Knob Creek do?
Knob Creek produces and sells premium Kentucky straight bourbon and rye whiskeys aged a minimum of 9 years in white oak barrels using pre-Prohibition style methods. The portfolio spans core bourbon age statements (9, 12, 18, and 21 year), rye whiskeys (7 and 10 year), single barrel and cask strength expressions, a Bourbon x Rye blend, a Smoked Maple flavored bourbon, and limited releases such as the Blender's Edition series, sold to consumers via national retail distribution.
Is Knob Creek a public or private company?
Knob Creek is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Knob Creek founded?
Knob Creek was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Knob Creek based?
Knob Creek is headquartered in Deerfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Knob Creek make money?
One revenue line is on record: whiskey Product Sales.
Who are Knob Creek's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Eagle Rare, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, Bulleit Bourbon, Buffalo Trace and Four Roses. Maker's Mark is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Michter's and Elijah Craig.
Does Knob Creek have an API?
No public API is recorded for Knob Creek.
What industry is Knob Creek in?
Knob Creek's product category is Premium Bourbon and Rye Whiskey. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAC, Spirits Distilling & Brands, with a secondary code of THAJAGAF, Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka). Its NAICS code is 312140 and its SIC code is 5180.