16 Bourbons To Try If You Like Knob Creek

Anyone who loves bourbon will probably say that even if they love branching out and trying new things, they have those tried-and-true favorites that they return to over and over again. Some people find those favorites and are content to stay there, and while there's nothing wrong with that, we'd suggest that the bourbon world is so diverse that you should absolutely give things a try. Spending your hard-earned cash on a bottle that doesn't quite hit the spot is discouraging, so we wanted to come up with some suggestions for those who love one of the best American whiskey brands on the market today: Knob Creek.

You don't have to take our word for things, as we reached out to our always-helpful team of industry professionals to get recommendations for finding your next favorite sip. They didn't disappoint, either, coming back with advice on finding similar bourbons and bottles that are different enough to stand apart as something new, while remaining comfortably in your wheelhouse.

We'll introduce our experts along with their picks, because it turns out there are a lot of people who have a lot of great advice for Knob Creek fans. We spoke with mixologists, bartenders, and food and beverage directors from some seriously trendy hotels, bars, and restaurants across the country, and here's what they had to say.

Four Roses Single Barrel is — as the name suggests — a bourbon that comes from one barrel, as opposed to being sourced from multiple barrels that are blended to achieve a certain end goal. It's no stranger to some serious awards that include a nod for Best in Class from the 2023 Whiskies of the World competition and, according to DJ Soria, it's a great option for Knob Creek fans.

You'll find Soria behind the bar at State Fare Bar & Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, and also coming to us with this winning recommendation. "It still offers the richness and depth that a Knob Creek drinker will appreciate, but brings forward more fruit, spice, and floral character. [That makes] it a great introduction to a different style of bourbon without straying too far from what they already enjoy," Soria explains. Excellent in a bourbon-forward cocktail or on its own, it brings some lovely, Knob Creek-adjacent versatility to your home bar.

It's no secret that we here at Mashed are fans of Eagle Rare: This writer has been pretty outspoken about her love for it, and we ultimately named it the best Buffalo Trace bourbon (that's not impossible to find). We're not alone in our love for this 10-year-old bourbon, as it's also one of the recommendations shared by Tim Peretti, Bar Manager at the Michelin-recognized Miller Union in Atlanta, Georgia. He likes this one as it has a lot in common with Knob Creek, including the core tasting notes and high-proof kick.

He's not the only one who thinks so, as several experts we talked to went to Eagle Rare as a go-to. That includes Toby Tseung, Senior Food and Beverage Manager at the Fairmont Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles. For him, it's oak and sweetness that make this one a standout. "It is aged for 10 years in oak barrels, compared with Knob Creek's nine years, resulting in robust oak complexity that is softened by the extended aging, along with a smoother, more buttery caramel flavor," he told us. "If you appreciate an oak-forward bourbon, this one is a gem."

Bulleit is a major favorite, and for good reason. It's a versatile whiskey that's ideal for making your next Old Fashioned, and it's coming out of one of the best distilleries in the U.S. It's also a next logical bottle for Knob Creek fans, according to The Industrialist Hotel's Food and Beverage Director, Tim Gruenberg.

He notes that while there are differences here, they're differences that encourage exploration rather than alienate someone from trying something new — especially if your tastes lean towards enjoying the oaky, spicy side of things. Bulliet, he says, delivers on both sweetness and spices that make it edge toward a drier territory. 

Since Bulliet has a mash bill that's considered high-rye (for a bourbon), it's going to have that spicy kick a little more front-and-center than other bourbons, but it doesn't lose the toffee overtones you expect from a solid bourbon. Awards for this one speak volumes, and you'll particularly notice a standout, dry finish. It's a satisfying, lovely thing.

Sure, bourbon aficionados love collecting Blanton's iconic jockey stoppers, but there's more than just some neat packaging going on with this famous single barrel bourbon. This one might have a reputation as being hard to source, but according to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner Food and Beverage Operations Manager Rohit Ray, it's worth seeking out if you're a Knob Creek fan who's looking for something a little different.

"Knob Creek has a bold, rich style with a good amount of oak and spice," Ray explained. "Blanton's is a little softer and more approachable, but you still get those familiar bourbon notes of vanilla, caramel, oak, and baking spice. There is also a slight sweetness and citrus character that makes it very easy to drink." 

Ray knows Blanton's: Not only does he consider it a very approachable, delightfully smooth, and highly recommended option for Knob Creek fans and newcomers to the bourbon world alike, but visitors to the hotel will find the bourbon selection there includes an entire barrel of Blanton's. How cool is that?

Browse the shelves of any liquor store, and Basil Hayden is going to stand out with its snazzy belt-buckle packaging. It should also stand out as a great option for Knob Creek drinkers who are in search of something different, and that's a recommendation that comes to us from Hauk Cornell, lead mixologist at Hilton West Palm Beach.

"Basil Hayden is an approachable alternative for Knob Creek drinkers who prefer something lighter and smoother, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and gentle spice," Cornell explained, and added that this is another favorite for anyone who prefers cocktails to sipping something straight or on the rocks. This particular bourbon blends nicely with other ingredients that might go into your cocktail, creating something that's balanced rather than overwhelmingly bourbon-forward. Classics like an Old Fashioned, a Collins, a Manhattan, or a Sidecar are timeless for a reason, and approachable thanks to bourbons like this one.

WhistlePig's PiggyBack has brought home some serious awards for its six-year-old bourbon, and according to Tim Gruenberg, it's a bottle that's a natural fit on a shelf alongside Knob Creek. "It shares Knob Creek's 100-proof strength and oak-and-caramel appeal," he told us. "Its maple, vanilla, and creamy texture take the experience in a sweeter direction."

As it clocks in with that 100 proof strength, that means it's also going to stand up well in all your favorite classic cocktails. It's not going to get overpowered in something complex, but it also makes an excellent Old Fashioned — and does well in anything that's bourbon-forward. 

If you've ever wanted to experiment with smoked cocktails, it's also a great candidate for exploring this fun bit of mixology. Pro tip: smoked ice cubes can take homemade cocktails to a whole different level, and they're easy to make. The next time you're smoking some meats, pop a pan of water over your flavorful woods, freeze, and enjoy!

Weller Antique 107 is another offering from the prolific Buffalo Trace Distillery, and as it's a wheated bourbon, you know at a glance that you're going to be getting something that's exceptionally smooth. According to Hauk Cornell, you're also getting something that's an outstanding alternative to Knob Creek, particularly if you're looking for something to switch up your favorite Old Fashioned with something that's a higher proof than what you might be used to.

Dustin Valette agrees. He's the Chef-Vintner and proprietor of the Michelin-recognized Valette and the seasonally focused The Matheson. He also recommended Weller Antique 107, and added that for him, it's about more than the bourbon itself: It's about the fact this one comes with an undeniable experience, and it gives you an excuse to stop and enjoy the moment.

"For me, what makes Knob Creek so amazing is how it inspires me: inspires me to sit back and enjoy the best parts of my life, family, and friends. Bourbon is meant to be shared," he said. "Whatever you prefer, whatever your favorite is, it's meant to be sipped, savored, and repeated with friends."

Perhaps the only thing better than finding your new favorite bottle is finding your new favorite distillery, and that brings us to a recommendation from Dale Kaiser. He's the bar manager and mixologist at Valette, and told us that there's no way to go wrong with any of the offerings from Willett Distillery — particularly Rowan's Creek and Noah's Mill.

"Willett Distillery is a neighbor to Jim Beam in Kentucky, but often overlooked and overshadowed by the big boys," he explains, and that's a shame. Namesake bottles include a small batch, four-year-old bourbon and a pot still reserve, while Noah's Mill is an extra-smooth and award-winning bourbon made with 72% corn. The slightly lower proof Rowan's Creek is just as award-winning, and it's a neat homage to a creek that has helped shape the family's property and distillery. 

Kaiser also stresses you're also not going to go wrong with the higher-end offerings from this spot. He says that if you're looking for that extra-special treat-yourself bottle, anything on offer here is sure to please.

Eli Yee is the lead bartender at Camélia, and says that for him, Knob Creek stands out for its rich character, high proof, and combination of oak-forwardness and sweet, baking spice-heavy characteristics. From here, he suggests Michter's as a next step, and specifically says that the 10-year-old is outstanding. 

"This is a more mature and sophisticated interpretation of the characteristics that you see in Knob Creek," he explained. "This beautiful 10-year bourbon holds an incredible amount of character, with layers of dried fruit, cooked cherries, and candied orange peel. There is also pronounced toasted oak, accompanied by notes of butterscotch and caramel." 

Texture is also key to a great bourbon, and Michter's delivers here, too, with a rich mouthfeel that's noticeable in all the right ways. It all comes together to create something greater than the sum of its parts, for a bourbon you're going to want to sit with and savor.

We're heading to Buffalo Trace again for Colonel E.H. Taylor, a recommendation from Eli Yee. Those in-the-know might already be familiar with the fact that this one is named for the very real Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., a larger-than-life figure who was related to two presidents and worked in the banking industry before opening a distillery and revolutionizing the whiskey and bourbon world. He championed the establishment of the Bottled-in-Bond label and, according to Yee, the fact that his namesake bourbon adheres to these guidelines helps make it a standout.

Yee adds that while it's similar to Knob Creek in some ways, it wraps up familiar flavors in what he calls "a more traditionally styled 'classic Kentucky' profile." It's complex, rich, and creamy, and it's a recommendation that Brian Summers also agrees with. He's the bar program director at Cosetta, and says that the similarities make for an easy transition. "You get some bold American oak and a polished caramel and baked sweetness that Knob drinkers tend to love," he says. Add in a high proof and a low rye content, and that means you're getting a strong yet smoothly sweet kick along with each sip.

When it comes to the big names in the bourbon game, Woodford Reserve is probably a familiar one — even if you haven't tried it. It easily ranks among the best bourbons for under $100, it comes with an elegance that makes it a great option for gift-giving, and honestly, we're never disappointed when we see someone show up on our doorstep with a bottle of this. According to Tim Gruenberg, it's also an accessible stop on the bourbon journey of any Knob Creek aficionado, for a few reasons.

"Woodford Reserve gives a Knob Creek fan caramel and wood character in a rounder, more fruit-accented pour. Citrus, cocoa, and cinnamon add complexity without making it difficult to approach," he says. The distillery uses a flavor wheel to define the tasting notes you'll find in each of their products, and taking a peek at the line's standard bourbon reveals something that's delightfully balanced between oakiness, fruits, spices, aromatics, and grains. It's a great something-for-everyone option, and it's affordable enough that you're not going to feel bad using it in a cocktail or few, either.

Along with some recommendations, Brian Summers gave us some excellent advice to pass along to Knob Creek fans, and it's basically how to discover your own new bottles to try. He told us that when it comes time to find those recs, he's looking for something that has a high proof and a mash bill that's low on rye to help ensure that same sweeter profile. One bourbon that fits the bill pretty perfectly is Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, an award-winning, 100 proof, 7-year-old bourbon with roots that go all the way back to 1939.

Summers says that it's his first and biggest recommendation, and it's one that's buoyed on a lovely caramelized sugar sweetness along with the high proof. There's just a touch of spice that gives it some wonderful depth, and a finish that lasts. Heaven Hill is known for its Bottled-in-Bond bourbons, and this one has the added benefit of being highly recommended for cocktails as well as on its own.

Finding the next favorite thing sometimes means taking what you love, then taking a step to the left into some new territory. That's the idea behind a recommendation from Jairo Moreno, bar manager at darling. "Angel's Envy is one I've always enjoyed, especially because it's finished in port wine barrels," he told us. "That finish brings a little more fruit and sweetness, and gives it this really nice, after finish. If someone hasn't explored finished bourbons before, I think this is a really good place to start."

DJ Soria also named Angel's Envy as a next-step sort of bourbon for Knob Creek fans. He agreed that it's the port finish that makes this one stand out from the crowd, and allows it to fully deliver on just the right amount of fruity sweetness. He stresses that while it's a move away from the classic profile of Knob Creek, it's one that's complex and not a completely jarring experience. It's new but still welcoming, accessible, and a great way to dip your toe into something new.

Widow Jane's 10-year-old bourbon has amassed a completely respectable number of awards throughout the years, in spite of being a relative newcomer to the bourbon game. This place opened back in 2012, and the idea is that it's bourbon with a New York attitude. Distilled or sourced in and from a variety of places, it gets finished with local limestone-rich waters. According to Tim Gruenberg, that all comes together to create a bourbon that is bound to please anyone who tends to reach for Knob Creek.

"For someone who values the age and oak character of Knob Creek, Widow Jane 10-year is a worthwhile next glass," he told us. "It offers another mature bourbon to compare side-by-side, with an emphasis on richness and a lingering finish." Cream, vanilla, and cinnamon are among the tasting notes, and there's a dash of char from the aging process as well. The result is wonderfully deep, and well worth the search.

Booker's Bourbon is a little different, and as the name suggests, it's the pet project of Jim Beam distiller Booker Noe. He's since retired but the bourbon has carried on, and different batches get released over the course of the year. For 2026, batches include the dessert-inspired Milkshake Batch and the vanilla-forward homage to New Orleans that is the Big Easy Batch. 

Eli Yee says these are a great series to explore, particularly if you're looking for something that's next-level. "This one is definitely intense, [and] is a natural recommendation for a Knob Creek drinker who wants to turn up the intensity," he explained. "Booker's Bourbon is bottled at barrel strength, and is uncut and unfiltered, resulting in an incredible concentration of richness and flavor."

He's not alone in this: Dale Kaiser also recommends looking to Booker's Bourbon. He notes that because it comes from the same distillery as Knob Creek, the similarities will definitely be there. It's the next step up in intensity, though, and delivers on a seriously complex experience you're going to want to take your time with and savor.

Old Grand-Dad is another offering from Jim Beam, and it's advertised as a 100 proof, old-school sort of bourbon. History buffs in particular will love this fun fact: It was one of the Kentucky bourbons beloved by U.S. president Harry Truman. It's also Danny Rubenstein's pick for Knob Creek drinkers looking for something a little different.

Rubenstein is the beverage director at Maydan Market, and told us: "I recommend Old Grand-Dad Bonded because it is 100 proof and stands up well in a cocktail — my specialty! Knob Creek is on the spicier side of bourbons, which is another reason I like the OGD." 

This one's a little rye-forward for a bourbon, but there's plenty of vanilla, sweetness, and citrus to be found here, too. Add in the fact that it's smooth enough to be just as good if you want to sip it straight, and it just might be an absolute win for you, too.