Out of the four brands that comprise Jim Beam’s “Small Batch Collection,” Knob Creek has definitely seen the most fanfare – and for good reason. The distillery has introduced no shortage of expressions to the line, including the respected Single Barrels (now released at cask strength) and the occasional limited edition. These more select releases naturally draw the most attention, especially with the ongoing proliferation of expensive or otherwise allocated bottles in the bourbon market. More affluent customers might look at these and barely bat an eye, but others can often feel excluded or simply priced out.

Fortunately, Jim Beam is a huge producer, one that’s easily able to accommodate both crowds. Knob Creek has historically been a jack of all trades in this sense, with 2025 seeing the release of two notably different limited edition products. The first of these was the reasonably positioned Blender’s Edition 01, starting a new annual series of bottles “dedicated to the craft behind every bottle of Knob Creek.” Based on this initial release and the curious nature of its follow-up (spotted on the TTB), it appears the Blender’s Editions will see the brand dabble with various whiskey styles.

This is hardly new territory for Jim Beam. Even in the 2010s, Jim Beam demonstrated a willingness to innovate with the Signature Craft line, bringing the likes of bourbon made with brown rice, oats, and even a tragically short-lived wheated bourbon. The distillery has since used the Little Book line as the primary way to highlight its experimentation, but I still hope for something akin to the Signature Craft Harvest Bourbon Collection to release in the near future.

Perhaps appropriately, Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 has a straightforward approach: showcase a sweeter side of Knob Creek with confectionary notes. Beyond this “flavor vision” (stealing from Maker’s Mark, another Suntory brand), there’s not much to go off of for Blender’s Edition 01 other than its respectable stats. The whiskey was at least 10 years old, bottled at 53% ABV, and retailed for about $45. Although Blender’s Edition was positioned as a limited series with an agreeable price point, Jim Beam usually has excellent availability. Let’s see how this inaugural release fares.

Nose: Leaps out with bright caramel green apple candy against an expected backbone of dry roasted peanuts. Some undertones of tobacco, honey, and bullseye candy. Just a touch of dried banana in the background as well. It’s quintessential Jim Beam with a couple outlier notes.

Palate: Light-medium mouthfeel; more balanced and rounded than the nose lets on. Traditional caramel, vanilla custard, and light brown sugar notes complemented by cinnamon, sweet tobacco, and honey roasted peanuts.

Finish: Lingering honey roasted nuts, crystalized caramel, light brown sugar, and tobacco. Hints of dried banana become custard-like before giving way to a surprising development of cherry. Becomes creamier the longer it sits.

Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 might be one of the least surprising products on the market. If you’re at all familiar with the core Knob Creek profile, you’ll know what to expect here. This feels like a tailor-made bourbon release by and for Jim Beam fans, one that showcases both the sweet and dry sides of the distillery’s primary bourbon recipe. Although I get a couple slightly less common notes here, namely green apple and banana, they still come across as in-service to the Jim Beam flavors you’ve come to expect.

In an odd way, Blender’s Edition 01 feels like an alternative to Baker’s 7-Year in its current form. The Knob Creek was older, cost less, and was only one proof point off. All of this while providing the sweeter, more mature characteristics of a Knob Creek product with just a bit of Booker’s-esque essence (namely in the consistency and finish) for good measure. The goal of showcasing Knob Creek’s sweeter side has definitely been accomplished, but we’re still talking about a Jim Beam product. And honestly? A sweeter Jim Beam product feels like a well balanced one.

While the whiskey market continues to see limited editions draw the most fanfare, Knob Creek’s first Blender’s Edition makes a case not unlike Wild Turkey Jimmy’s 70^th release. Instead of opting for something expensive and potentially difficult to procure, Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 earns high marks as a great bourbon at a killer price with mostly good availability. This is the type of limited release I hope to see more of, one that Jim Beam would be wise to take advantage of.