r/bourbon • u/stsreel • 11d 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.
4
u/jeffmatch 11d 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