The word “smooth” has been demonized in the booze business over the last decade, attributed to people who don’t really like alcohol and prefer it when alcohol doesn’t taste like alcohol. Nevertheless, I’m still going to use that term to describe this barrel because it’s completely apropos. This is 120 proof beast of a Bourbon from Knob Creek that is so lush and supple on the palate you’ll be wondering if it’s actually 60% ABV. It’s dark in the glass, amazingly rich, and surprisingly sweet for 9 year, 8 month old whiskey.

What’s left on the palate is the outcome of big heat going up against big sweetness: they neutralize one another and you’re left with one helluva smooth Bourbon. There’s a reason why some producers use sugar to mask the heat of alcohol. In the case of this Knob Creek selection, it’s purely the result of the cask itself. You’re going to LOVE this, trust me.

Knob Creek Mission Exclusive "Fifth Floor Wood" (4th) Single Barrel 120 Proof Kentucky Bourbon $59.99

So why does the name of this whiskey include (4th) in the title? Good question! This actually the first of many Knob Creek barrels from our most recent trip to Kentucky, all of which we named after the floor of the rick house from where the barrel was matured, along with the dominant flavor profile. This particular cask because is the exception to this rule, however. In short, it’s a misprint. An error. If it were a baseball card, it would be the Upperdeck Dale Murphy reserve negative.

This barrel was actually supposed to be called “Fourth Floor Sweetness” but instead was labeled as “Fifth Floor Wood” by mistake. To be clear, there is actually another barrel coming called “Fifth Floor Wood” that was actually matured on the fifth floor of the rick house and has a very oaky character. This is not that whiskey, however. This barrel comes from the fourth floor of the rick house and when you taste how smooth and sweet it is you'll understand why we meant to call it "Fourth Floor Sweetness.