Whiskey fans, take note. Knob Creek has just announced a 21-year-old bourbon, and it’s officially the oldest-ever whiskey to come out of James B. Beam Distilling Co. Knob Creek 21 Year Old comes three years after the successful launch of the brand’s 18-year-old bourbon, which is now a limited, annual release.

Like its 18-year predecessor, Knob Creek 21 is bottled at 100 proof and is believed to come from a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. While Beam hasn’t confirmed whether this will be a one-time release or a continuing product, similar to the 18-year version, the initial release carries a batch number of KC001. (Subsequent 18-year releases have used codes KC002 and KC003.)

In the bourbon world, older doesn’t always mean better, and it’s uncommon for American whiskeys to exceed two decades while maintaining a balanced flavor. However, as one of the largest producers in the country, Beam has a volume advantage, with more inventory to choose from than nearly any other distillery. In recent years, it has been gradually releasing older expressions, including three batches of Knob Creek 18 (2022, 2023, and 2024). Additionally, the distillery introduced a 20-year bourbon — its oldest at the time — as part of the 2024 Bardstown Collection, a highly limited, cross-distillery collaboration available only in Kentucky.

“When we first laid this (21-year) batch to rest, we weren’t chasing any specific age statement — we were focused on crafting a great bourbon for our fans, just like we always do,” Freddie Noe, Beam’s eighth-generation master distiller, said in a statement. “When I tasted these barrels, I knew they’d reached their peak. After decades in the rackhouse, the liquid developed a richness and balance that told us time had done its job, and done it well. That’s what makes this release special: It’s bold, full of character, and true to what Knob Creek stands for.”

Noe tells Food & Wine that slower aging conditions helped the bourbon reach such a high age statement while maintaining balance.

“The barrels for Knob Creek 21 Year Old came from across our Clermont, Frankfort, and Boston campuses,” he said. “Most of them spent their time aging on the lower floors of the rackhouses — and that was by design. Down there, the conditions let the bourbon age low and slow for more than two decades, building depth and character without becoming too oaky.”

This 21-year release marks a significant milestone for the distillery, which traces its history back to 1933, the end of Prohibition. (The Beam family itself has been distilling since around 1795.) It’s the oldest age-stated whiskey ever bottled under a company label. Furthermore, it’s also the oldest American whiskey from a Suntory Global Spirits distillery, which also includes Maker’s Mark. The Knob Creek brand was first launched in 1992 under the leadership of legendary distiller Booker Noe.

While Knob Creek 21 officially launches in October 2025, some bourbon superfans got an early taste at September’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. The brand’s tent quietly put a limited number of bottles on sale, which festival attendees quickly snapped up.

Brand tasting notes for Knob Creek 21 highlight “aromas of seasoned oak, caramelized sugar, and subtle smoke.” The palate features deep caramel notes, along with fruit and toasted oak, culminating in a toffee-forward finish.

Knob Creek 21 Year Old is currently available in limited supply at select retailers. (The company hasn’t released an exact bottle count for this release.) The suggested retail price is $250 for a 750-milliliter bottle.