Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Knob Creek Single Barrel BLIND REVIEW | Is ECBP REALLY The Best Value!?

[@sweetsinnndy5201]

We have a grocery store in Illinois and in Wisconsin called Woodman's. They had the Knob Creek Single Barrel on sale for $39.99, had to buy it, glad I did. May go get another before the price goes up.

[@motohead077]

Is that the SiB Reserve or the SiB Select aka "Store Picks"?

[@thomashobbes8786]

Love those fig bars!

[@jimmymem2387]

Just want to say, your channel has done excellent job of picking the pairing’s. When I see the thumbnail it gets me every time.

[@jimmymem2387]

Also. I hear you two mention quite a bit that there are plenty bottles around $60 you would pay for over some of the blinds. Curious, can you two let us know which ones they are

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks Jimmy! And we hear you on mentioning the bottles we'd prefer, although we'd sound like a broken record every video. Honestly, Knob Creek 120 proof picks and Rare Breed are two of our highest value buys and somewhat "yardstick bottles" that we use to evaluate the value of all other bottles out there. Beyond that, we really tend to enjoy New Riff Barrel Proof and there's some great ryes in the $50-60 range like Stellum Rye and New Riff Barrel Proof Rye as well.

[@jimmymem2387]

@@stuffandwhiskey Nice! Thanks for the info

[@nandayane]

Thanks for advising me on my next whiskey. I love knob creek.

[@timmbottoni3135]

Great comparison, fun video, and love that your sweet spot is the $50-$60 range.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks Timm! It's pretty important for us to stay as true to that as we can. We feel like it can get a little overwhelming when every good bottle gets a "recommend" rating, when most people don't operate with an endless budget to purchase everything.

[@RicCrouch]

These are two of my favorites. It would be like picking a favorite kid….

[@weddingdaymusic8331]

Love the new Stuff and Whiskey merchandise.

[@blindsquirrel3123]

Absolutely love the bonus content at the end. Your personalities shine. Well done

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks so much SDG! We try to make helpful and informative content over here, but taking ourselves too seriously is never on the agenda.😂 Cheers!

[@eai554]

Love your new opening, noticed a slight variation in your usual banter. Both whiskeys are favorites of mine. I was very lucky to have bought my ECBP bottles for $60 in NYC.

[@eai554]

Carpe what!? You guys, Bourbon van and Whiskey tribe always bring a smile to my face.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Carpe that ECBP! 😂 Thanks so much J! We're happy to help bring some joy and honored to be mentioned amongst two of our favorite channels.

[@weddingdaymusic8331]

Love ur presentation AND scoring system. Real smart talk on whiskey!

[@877-MASH-NOW]

WHISKEY CHEERS 😎😎😎😎

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Cheers Jay!

[@35057]

Just found your videos. I really like your “experience” rating. Makes a lot of sense. I’m reasonably new to whiskey (2-3 years) and I’m just starting to be able to nail down specific noses and flavors. But there is a definitely a place to rate the experience for the Pour/bottle. Cheers! 🥃

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We appreciate you watching, Bayer, and thanks for the kind words. We've seen so many reviews where people speak to the nose, palate, and finish of a whiskey which is a great analytical way to break a pour down, but we wanted to express whether we liked the overall flavor and experience. Glad it struck a chord with you. Cheers!

[@grouchypseudopod354]

Loved the video, fsmtastic chill vibe.. though I do wish Erin had been able to get out her thoughts on the mineral notes? honest to God I don't go immediately to George dickel when I hear mineral. Can just be a well water kind of note? Also, just wanted to hear her grt her thoughts out. Everyone has a different way to communicate what they taste, different sorts of memories, different touchstone flavors. There's no wrong notes. That being said, loved the chill vibe. Great video, very useful.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Well water!! We could’ve searched for that note for an hour and never placed it but that’s a great call! Cheers and thanks for watching and commenting Grouchy. 🥃

[@tragic504]

Knob Creek single barrel vs the KC single barrel store the store pick not as hot when first opened. The regular one just need more time to open for full flavor vs the ethanol taste.

[@Liquorstoredinosaur]

I always enjoy Erin's take on the tastes, I'm more of a rye taster myself.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks so much Shane!

[@keithrezendes6913]

Love knob creek 9, my go to daily but if I crave a higher proof then I reach for the Knob creek single barrel. Elijah creek is great too but I like the knob more.

[@SchimShady12]

Two of my favorite pours, both scoring highly! I love your channel because of how relatable it is and how unbiased it feels with all the blind tasting

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That's huge praise, Schim. We always hope to be relatable, unbiased and informative so when that shows through it's a huge compliment in our book. Super appreciate the kind words!

[@00Accord4cyl]

Matt's editing was so good I thought you actually said "We are professional whiskey tasters"

[@stuffandwhiskey]

"We are not regular people." 😂 😂 😂 He friggin NAILED it. We were dying laughing!

[@jbbourbon178]

I love that “stinky feet” is not a bad thing! 😂

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It's weird and wild and just how we do. 😂

[@jamesstreet1144]

I was lucky enough to get 2 bottles of ECBP A122. I really enjoy it, but the Knob Single barrel is excellent too. I really enjoy your input. Thanks.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We *just* got a bottle of ECBP A122 last weekend. Can't wait to give it a proper try. Cheers James!

[@michaelhoffer9172]

Another great review. I have Elijah Craig Barrel Proof store pick and a Knob Creek Single Barrel Select store pick and absolutely love them both. Josh and I seem to have similar palates, so I always look forward to his take on bourbon. I am expanding more into rye, so I like to see Erin’s review on those.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Heck yeah, Michael! That's awesome. It's always nice when you can find some palate-alignment for recommendation purposes. Cheers!

[@proofisinthebourbon]

Hey I'm in Tennessee and having a hard time finding elijah craig barrel proof at a reasonable price. Any tips on where yall shop? Birthday coming up and I'm willing to travel

[@stuffandwhiskey]

For us that’s one we have to get through local connections and store loyalty. It doesn’t hit shelves in the Nashville market at least (unfortunately).

[@proofisinthebourbon]

@@stuffandwhiskey Thanks for the reply! I live in Savannah TN and you can find it here behind the counter but for 150

[@red5standingby419]

Stares at thumbs up button sitting at 69.... bah fine I'll ruin it and be number 70. Great vid ya'll!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Nice! 😉 Cheers Red5!

[@chadwallace3598]

Probably not fair seeing how one is a store pick and the other is not.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

While we hear you loud and clear, we don't necessarily agree based on our experience with double blind tastings. Batches of ECBP vary just as much as Knob Creek single barrels vary (or just as much as any batch or single barrel can vary from one another). Truth be told these were a lot closer of a competition than any 2020 batch of ECBP compared to any 2021 batch of ECBP and those are the same product. At the end of the day it's a 120ish proof bourbon from two major Kentucky distilleries with very similar flavor profiles, so it's a fair game matchup for us. Double blind tastings are the ultimate equalizer between a lot of things that, on paper, should stick out like sore thumbs in our experience. We still appreciate the input and feedback though. Thanks for watching Chad!

[@hombreleon]

Both bottles are solid, but the last time I was able to buy a bottle of ECBP here in Phoenix was C920. I’m still able to find excellent picks of Knob Creek although the 12-15 year picks are a thing of the past. Nice review! 🥃

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks so much Leo! We appreciate you watching!

[@michaelackley1560]

Great match up love both of these. Funny you should do these. I drank some EC A 1 21 last night to celebrate my retirement. Lots of folks found it some lacking. I love all EC even 94 proof. Would buy both. EC Have 6 bottle back up 😱

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Well said, and congrats on the retirement Michael! That's a big deal!

[@msspi764]

I have two KC Single Barrels and one is definitely better than the other. One is very similar to the one you have. The other is more flavorful, lots of vanilla, carmel to toffee, some fruitiness. I've yet to try the Elijah Craig outside the Heaven Hill Experience, but within that is was definitely in the same league as KC. It's cool to hear your similar ratings.

[@matthewhall8790]

I have a store pick, 8yo, ECSiBBP and I like it, but I also have a store pick KCSiB 120 proof, and my KC is a lot better than my EC.

[@jteff92]

I think all the bottles on the table is a bit overwhelming and makes it slightly less personal to the review. I think you guys are great tho! cheers

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We appreciate you watching!

[@billjoynes3433]

Elijah Craig small batch is the only EC available in my area.... Knob Creek is one of my favorites..all of their pours are top notch. 🥃 Cheers... Excellent as usual !!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We're with you Bill! Knob Creek may well be the best value in bourbon, or at least right up there with some of Wild Turkey's best offerings.

[@matthewyoung2825]

I love them both. I've only gotten the chance to buy ECBP B521. I saw C921 for $90 but couldn't commit. I do love KC 120s. I have a store pick and a generic single barrel.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We hear ya on the rising price of ECBP. We did pull the trigger on C921 with some pain at $80, and recently found A122 very late at $90 and also bit the bullet, but it was a tough pill to swallow. Past $90 and we're out--that could be two Knob Creek picks!

[@swancakes]

It’s all going up! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@swancakes you're not wrong. It's a tough pill to swallow.

[@chrisdunning5481]

Another fun video. House cat. Awesome. In my area east of Sacramento the ECBP is easy. Specific batches might be a challenge but if I want it I got it. But only at small stores. Total Wine rarely has them. Prices range from $65 for an older batch to $85 for the A122. Even better are the store picks. 9-10 years and from 131-139. Fantastic. $99 for those. The KC store picks exist but appears and then are gone. Oh and they are $60 each. Always buy two.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

So funny to hear that about the difference in supply between these two in various spots, mainly just because of how long Knob Creek picks sit around here. We didn't realize we had it so good on that front. ECBP picks are even more rare and hard to get than the batches around here and sell out before you can drive across town to get to the store.

[@codyburgess7034]

Carpe the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof hahah

[@debbybrady1246]

What brand of fig bar?

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Nature's Bakery are the ones we love, particularly the raspberry, apple cinnamon, and peach apricot. It's fun to find those tasting notes in bourbons as well. Cheers Debby!

[@PhantomLord187]

Literally cannot argue with anything you said. Two of my top five favorite pours, but you just CANNOT beat the value of KC SiB, much less a pick. Great video. Also, A122 beats all the 2021 releases IMO

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We’re on the same page with you, Ron. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@jimbrady7030]

Erin's high proof bourbon is knobb creek?? Sounds like we need to see a Rare Breed vs Knobb Creek blind to me!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Oddly enough we tend to slot them into two different categories, as Knob Creek tends to pack a lot of punch and Rare Breed tends to provide a more refined experience despite being close in proof. We might already have that head-to-head in the blind sample pool though, you know, for science. 😉

[@jbbourbon178]

Josh- to me, the “vanilla creaminess” comes out in both of these with an ice cube. Bring that proof down just a touch and they are wonderful.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That's a very fair point, and we have had some Knob Creek picks and ECBP batches that inherently have it without the need for ice, but you're spot on. While we typically prefer neat, we've found that these barrel proof pours hold up to ice nicely and still pack a ton of flavor even when chilled. Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof is another one we love over ice for the creamy vanilla that pops out.

[@motohead077]

Unless you are pouring 10oz, an ice cube would cut the proof in half, probably more, on any pour 2oz or less. Also, the colder temp changes the flavors, to generally more muted, as apposed to helping bring them out. So going from 120 to 60P is not really a small reduction, not to mention, below 80P it's not even whiskey anymore, in the U.S.

[@jbbourbon178]

@@motohead077 I still prefer high proof over ice. Brings out more sweetness for me. Don’t really care what happens to the proof.

[@mttech1995]

Great comparison video!! I love any Knob Creek out there, some of the store picks that I have are top 10 pours on my shelf. Knob Creek is very available and extremely exceptional and the quality is always very consistent. Josh- if Erin got mineral notes, she got mineral notes..lol! Everyone’s nose is different! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We knew you'd appreciate the Knob Creek content Ed. Cheers man!

[@chasecarter1170]

Single barrel knob Creek vs batched ecbp this sort of head to head could go either way depending which batches of ecbp and which barrels of knob Creek you're using for the blind.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

True, but the same could be said for batch to batch variance on standard release products like Rare Breed, 1920, etc. At the end of the day there's only so many variables you can eliminate. We love this matchup for the flavor profile similarities, and for the fact that we're just as likely to get as many bottles of any given ECBP batch as we are to get of any given Knob Creek pick. Your point does stand as somewhat of a constant disclaimer for all our head-to-heads though and is very fair.

[@lilannalucey]

I loved my KC pick by ADHD (Lob Creek) and rode that with my Boilers in the NCAA tourney. Both ended on the same night. Luckily I've got plenty others and likely will be getting a couple more this year. Impossible to get the ECBP here in PA unless you're really lucky or know someone at a store.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Lob Creek is SO GOOD! Cheers and thanks for watching Jarod!

[@robr.3679]

You nailed it. Love ECBP.... but with the bourbon craze continuing to heat up, it's getting harder and harder to find at a reasonable price. Luckily, we have bottles like Rare Breed and Knob Creek SiB that have remained somewhat steady.... well, steadiER. haha!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Well said, Rob. SteadiER for now and hopefully forever. Cheers!

[@taylordalton6973]

Great head to head. The only ECBP I have is A121 and the last two batches I've only found them priced at $90, so I passed. In fact, I passed A122 at $90 and found a KC 11 year Store Pick instead at the same store and bought that instead since it's hard to find a store pick older than 9 years now. Haven't opened it yet, but felt like I did the right thing by my budget.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

When you can get two Knob Creek picks for $100, it does become hard to justify ECBP as it approached $100. And funnily enough, most of the ECBP private single barrel picks are in the 8-10 year range which is where the Knob Creek picks shine. We're never mad about 9.5 year Knob Creek picks. Cheers on finding a little bit older one though. Some of the older Knob Creeks can be really special!

[@taylordalton6973]

@@stuffandwhiskey Agreed 100%. I will be in Franklin this weekend visiting some family, so I may have to pick up a New Riff Single Barrel Rye and Bourbon since we don't get it in GA. Maybe I can find a JD Barrel Proof as well since I haven't seen one since October.

[@whatusaynowboy]

I wish I could find Elijah Craig Barrel proof under $100. They price gouge in my town and sell it for $150. So I always get the Knob Creek Single Barrel. Cheers you two, great review.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

$150!? That's three Knob Creek picks worth of whiskey. 3 > 1 last time we checked our math. That's an easy call in favor of Knob Creek if you ask us. Cheers Ramon!

[@stephenbrady916]

I’d love to check out the Knob single barrel, but no one near me has it. However, one store near me has knob creek 9 limited to 1 per person, so I’m guessing KC is getting hit with supply chain/glass shortages.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That's tough to hear. Sure hope that's not the case!

[@kathyhughey7350]

We prefer the KC120 over the ECBP though there's nothing wrong with ECBP. Price and availability is a bummer for me on the EC. When I go out of town, I try to get a couple different store picks of KC 120 to do a comparison.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Cheers to that, Kathy! KC120 or Rare Breed may well be the pound for pound value champion in the world of bourbon.

[@josephlanasa1592]

I don't get anything like that WHEN I used to drink bourbon, a little. Just like everything else, they priced themselves out of my market! Not worth it!

[@brownprince6264]

What 50 dollar bottles do you like more than this?

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We'd sound like a broken record if we said it in every video but our "yardstick bourbons" around the $50 price point are coincidentally Knob Creek 120 proof and Rare Breed. We also enjoy New Riff Barrel Proof a lot. There's also quite a few ryes around the same price point that we enjoy a ton as well. And these are just the choices around a similar proof point. There's a lot of good stuff out there to be sure. Cheers and thanks for watching Amir!

[@chasecarter1170]

Ecbp = superior imo . Flavor profile depth of flavor richness and the flavors of 12+ yr aged barrels is overall I think yielding objectively better flavors/more rich and intense than knob Creek, albeit I do like both. Good video I think this is a reasonable and perfect match up, even better would be an ecbp 8-10 yr single barrel vs a knob Creek 8-10 yr single barrel.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Love this comment Chase! It brings up a great question. Is there such a thing as "objectively better flavors" when flavors are entirely subjective? It's tough to say if you ask us. That's like saying Pappy 23 has to be better than Lot B because it's twice as old and more expensive/desirable (extreme example but you get the point). The funny thing in this market, as you know, is that the 8-10 year old ECBP picks FLY off the shelves and get flipped for $150-200+ on secondary but 9.5-10 year Knob Creek picks sit. We're not complaining necessarily as we've done this sort of blind several times before (different ECBP batches and different Knob Creek picks) and ECBP has yet to win out. Maybe our palates just prefer Knob Creek?

[@andrewmainprice2179]

Can't buy knob creek single barrel in the UK. The ECBP is my favourite barrel proof bourbon for experience and flavour.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thankfully you guys can get ECBP there. That's a big win and one of the best bottles you could hope for!

[@a.w.3480]

i really havent liked my EC A121, its slowly gotten a little better over a year but its not near as good as any others ive tried.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It's our favorite batch of 2021 and we have enjoyed ours quite a bit, but know it's not everyone's favorite. We *just* got A122 so we're excited to see how it compares to the 2021 releases.

[@jrhodes109]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 STINKY FEET 🦶🦶🦶🦶

[@kyliejohn3813]

Stinky feet; but in a good way.

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

I compared ECBP A122 against a Knob Creek 9 yr pick from a few years ago and it was surprisingly close. Hard to pick which one I liked best. The Knob Creek was 37 and change and the ECBP was 70 so quit a big difference in price for it being that close. That being said C920 is my favorite bourbon I’ve had.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It's an interesting comparison, right!? Feels like we may have all been spoiled by 2020 batches of ECBP because, more and more, B520 and C920 are feeling like outliers. That makes the ECBP vs Knob Creek debate all the more interesting.

[@drgallup]

I got my EC A121 for $65 and I was able to buy all 3 '21 releases for the first time. Have not found an A122 yet, may be all gone. I've got 3 KC 120 proof barrel picks, paid 46, 50 & 54, range from 9.5 to 11.5 years old. KC availability and price is a little better but I still buy every EC I see. There can be a lot of mineral notes besides the Dickel one. It's not necessarily a negative. You will find it as a strongly positive comment in lots of wine tastings.

[@weddingdaymusic8331]

Excited to buy whiskey and stuff merchandise.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We hear you on that, Ferd. The George Dickel Flinstones vitamin mineral note is hyper specific. In this matchup what we were getting may have been a slight bit of an earthy edge from the combination of the "peanut shell" Jim Beam note and the barrel char mingling together.

[@saltylettuce7541]

Hey guys great video as always! I'd like to shoutout a small channel Nathan over at EveryDay Drinker. He does cocktails, whiskey reviews, ect... if anyone wants to go show him some love. Oh yeah #teamjosh #joshisastud 😆

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Great shoutout, salty! We'll go check Nathan out!

[@LeatherDaddy97]

This one comes down to your area and profile preference i think. In my area it is by far easier to get an ecbp than a knob creek single barrel 120. I havent seen knob creek single barrel past a single 9.5 yr pick in the last year. Thats fine with me as i prefer ecbp anyway. Both great for the money when available. Also a121 is one of the worst ecbps.

[@jbbourbon178]

I couldn’t live in your area….KC Single Barrel is my top pour!

[@LeatherDaddy97]

@@jbbourbon178 i like it enough. I passed on the pick for 65. Just didnt need it. But yeah knob creek single barrel is pretty much unobtainable

[@enricojaun2880]

@@LeatherDaddy97 lol, was just gonna say that about A121! i ended up putting mine into a EC infinity bottle...

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Still trying to wrap our brains around your second sentence Aidan. We're flush with Knob Creeks but ECBPs have dried up thanks to hunters and flippers. That's WILD! FWIW A121 was our favorite batch of 2021 which is why we chose to go against Knob Creek. Would be interesting to see a big boy ECBP batch like B520 or C920 go up against a 14+ year Knob Creek pick but those high aged Knob Creek picks and exceptional ECBP batches seem to be on hiatus at the moment.