Knobel Whiskey
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Overall Value: 2.75/5
Distillery: Knobel
Classification: Straight Whiskey Finished in French Oak Staves
Company: Knobel Spirits, LLC
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 95
Age: NAS
Color: Wheat
MSRP: $65 (2025)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of this Knobel Whiskey opens with bright, candy-sweet notes that immediately grabs your attention. Strawberry Laffy Taffy, apple, peach, and pear all show up early, giving it a fruity, confectionery lift. There’s also a bit of cedar and honey, with a touch of grain in the background. As it sits, some darker notes—like chocolate or even a Tootsie Roll—begin to emerge. Overall, the nose is easily the most inviting part of this Tennessee whiskey.
The palate starts out light, soft, and juicy, leaning sweet with flavors that resemble grape or watermelon saltwater taffy without the heavy sugar. There’s a classic whiskey profile beneath the fruitiness, but the French oak finish brings in a strong char that quickly takes over. Some dry cherry notes appear in the second half of the sip, which steer things in a direction that won’t work for everyone.
The finish is where the experience falls off. The finish is dry, oaky, and harsh, with a lingering alcohol bite. The cherry cough-syrup aftertaste and heavy char don’t mesh well with the sweetness from the front half of the pour, making it less inviting to go back for another sip.
Knobel Whiskey is one of those bottles that smells like it’s going to impress but ultimately can’t keep its early momentum. The nose is fun, sweet, and layered, but the palate becomes dominated by char, and the finish leans too dry and sharp. At its MSRP, it’s tough to recommend unless you’re specifically interested in sweeter noses paired with heavier wood notes.
If you find it on sale, it may be worth the curiosity. For anyone wondering where to buy, most major online retailers and select Tennessee whiskey shops carry it—but based on this review, manage your expectations.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
The nose is particularly sweet like confectionery. It smells like strawberry Laffy Taffy to me.
There is a little bit of woodiness present as well, but more cedar than oak. It stays light and very pleasant.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is light and juicy. It stays on the sweet side and continues to draw a bit of the candy profile but not overwhelming almost like grape or watermelon salt water taffy without the punch of sugar.
The tail end starts to draw a bit of the dry cherry profile which I don’t love and leads into the finish.
THE FINISH:
This is probably the lowest part of the pour.
It starts to dry my mouth out a bit and I’m left with a cherry cough syrup aftertaste. Which doesn't really invite more sips.
BUY OR PASS?
It's a bottle that hints at more, but the overall experience will probably leave most whiskey drinkers wanting more. I do think the first half of the pour would make it a pretty approachable option, but sadly the finish really drives home some not wanted flavors.
The Hunter Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 2.5/5
THE NOSE:
Light and fruity right away—apple, peach, and pear stand out. It leans almost like a white wine, maybe a pinot grigio.
After sipping, honey and grains start to show, with a touch of orange.
As it opens, darker notes like chocolate, specifically Tootsie Rolls, come forward.
THE TASTE:
Soft and light on the palate with a classic bourbon profile.
It begins sweet, but then the French oak finishing takes over. The char is strong and almost dominates, carrying through the sip.
THE FINISH:
The finish leans harsh for me.
What lingers is alcohol bite and heavy char, followed by drying oak.
It doesn’t have the sweetness or balance I’d hope for at the end.
BUY OR PASS?
The nose here is wonderful, with fruit and candy-like notes that really draw you in. Unfortunately, the palate and finish don’t hold up, leaning too hard into char and oak.
It’s a whiskey that might be more enjoyable if you don’t think too much about it, but when analyzed closely, it falls short.
