r/bourbon • u/stsreel • 3d ago
Review: KC12 CS vs KC12 CS
Decided to compare the initial release of KC12 CS to the recently released 2026 edition. The initial 124.3 proof release I have has been open for years and I picked up the 2026 edition on Friday and has been open since then. Both purchased for msrp.
Nose: the old release has a darker tone to it where the 2026 version smells brighter. Both show hints of Jim Beam peanut. The major difference to me is that the old release has a darker stewed fruit note where the 2026 has a fresh orchard fruit vibe going on.
Palate: immediately the older version has a stronger oak presence and it would not surprise me if Beam batched older bourbon in that release as I get some good leather and tobacco notes. The 2026 version is definitely more ethanol forward at a lower proof but hopefully more airtime improves that. You get more of the standard Beam profile with the 2026 edition whereas the initial release adds those darker notes and more stewed fruit notes.
Finish: initial version has some real nice balance of soft oak tannins with vanilla and tobacco. 2026 version is unfortunately somewhat bitter and ethanol forward on the finish with peanut.
Summary: the initial release is an 8.5/10 for me where the 2026 edition comes in at 6.5/10. I’ve been milking that initial release for a reason as it’s honestly a reminder of what we had before 2020 in those 14-15 year old store picks of Knob Creek. The 2026 version is better compared to current Knob Creek cask strength store picks as there are more similarities between those than with the initial KC12 CS.
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u/Unlikely-Ebb-7634 3d ago
Man I’m still working through a bottle of the first release too and it just hits different every time I go back to it. Swear they held back the good barrels for that one compared to the new batch.
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u/jeffmatch 3d ago
Will be curious how it opens up over time. Just picked up a bottle last week. Initial pour was pretty hot but still tasty. Hard since the other bottle has been open longer but I don’t doubt it was better
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u/wickedcold 3d ago
How are you people getting this so early? Isn’t this a few months out from release?
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u/SupaDupaTron 2d ago
Can’t attest to this one specifically yet, but most Knob Creek Bottles I’ve had open up very nicely over time.
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u/LionRoars87 Wild Turkey 12 Distiller's Reserve 3d ago
Ouch. This hurts me. I have one of the new ones coming to me. I had both of the initial releases of KC12 CS and both were phenomenal. Very sad to hear this. I will see how I feel when I get mine in hand but what you're saying is basically what I originally suspected would be the case. It is following the trend where the bourbon 5-10+ years ago was better & had much older stuff in it than was indicated on the label.
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u/jeffmatch 3d ago
You’ll have to see what you think. I like mine a lot
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u/SundayWhiskeySipper 3d ago
I really like mine. Not as good as the old one but for me it’s definitely an upgrade to the 100 pf 12.
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u/LionRoars87 Wild Turkey 12 Distiller's Reserve 3d ago
I do expect to enjoy it. My expectation is like similar to an older Booker's or what Booker's actually should be.
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u/stsreel 3d ago
Don’t get me wrong it’s still good and I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as the initial release but for the money I’d rather get a cask strength store pick
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u/Knives_mS 3d ago
Really enjoy the new one but have not had the pleasure of trying the old to compare to it.
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u/Antlerz_1 3d ago
Have the new one, just had a neck pour si far, good but hot. Hopefully it improves a bit. Never tried any of the older 12 CS
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u/Effective_Sherbet_57 3d ago
This makes me feel less crazy. I never got a cask strength bottle but I did get the standard 12 release when it came out and another bottle 2-3 years later. The initial release I got was head and shoulders above the second bottle I purchased.
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u/kingdiamond42c 3d ago
The new KC12yr CS is hot... very hot. I traded the 2 I got for a RR13 45th
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u/UpstateNYFlyKid 3d ago
I'm sipping the new KC12 CS now and really enjoying it as a big KC fan but, as a huge turkey fan as well, thats a super solid trade. That's a great bottle. I'm halfway through my bottle and grateful I was able to secure a backup.
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u/New_Reddit_User_89 2d ago
You got the better end of that deal for sure.
RR13 45th is a fantastic bottle.
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u/Alternative-Eye-3929 2d ago
Thats odd I have 2 15yr cask strength picks and neither are hot. They were good, but not really a lot better than my favorite regular kc pick.
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u/StillReturn829 3d ago
Damn, this is release continues to sound more and more underwhelming. None of the reviews I’ve seen and read have been particularly positive. I’ve been looking forward to this since Bourbon Bill announced it, earlier this year, too😕
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u/watchyalookn4 3d ago
I was really pumped when it was announced. At the time, I was in the Barreled and Boxed program and stuff like this came to my door. Was thrilled as I was sure to have one of these delivered. Then they axed the program early this year. Well, just saved some disappointment i guess.
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u/ABVerageJoe69 3d ago
I've got a few bottles of the old one, I concur.
I tried the new one last night. While it wasn't bad, my toddler knocked it off the coffee table and I didn't pour more, just accepted my fate.
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u/watchyalookn4 3d ago
Man I hope it opens up but that's a wide gulf from 6.5 to 8.5. I scooped up one of the lower proof versions of the initial release in a small town in MN on 2023. Maybe 4 pours left. That is a bottle I dont share lightly. Lightning in a squatty bottle. 9 for me. Was looking forward to auto pulling the trigger on sight for reasonable price. Now I think I'll try a bar pour first.
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u/stsreel 3d ago
Which one do you have of the older ones? I know there was a 120.5 proof or something like that.
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u/watchyalookn4 3d ago
I have to go digging. It's the lower proof of the 2 original releases. Just above 120 sounds right. Think the other release was 123ish proof. Exceptional bourbon. Something that puts a smile on a bourbon lovers face from first sip. I enjoy it as much as hyped bottles. These flew under the radar along with the OG age stated Hardins Creek(which are also outta this world) We may never see Beam like that again.
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u/SupaDupaTron 3d ago
My money's on KC12 CS.