Camo Comes to the Bourbon Shelf
Camouflage has been part of outdoor life for a long time. It shows up on hunting jackets and ball caps, and it covers plenty of other gear that has spent real time in the woods, on the water and out in the field. This fall, it has also shown up on a bourbon label.
Knob Creek has put out a new release called the Knob Creek Trailmaster Edition. It comes in a 375mL bottle with a limited-edition collectible camouflage label, the first time the brand has used camo this way. The company says the design is a nod to its connection to the outdoors and to the rugged Americana that Knob Creek is built on.
It is a small bottle with a big theme, and it speaks to a crowd that knows what a cold morning in a deer stand feels like.
What Is Knob Creek Trailmaster Edition?
A New Look on a Familiar Bourbon
The first thing to know is that the camo is on the outside. The bourbon inside is the same one Knob Creek fans already know. It is Knob Creek 9 Year Old Bourbon, a bold, full-flavored whiskey that has been the heart of the brand’s lineup.
Image credit: Knob Creek
So this is not a new recipe or a one-off blend. The Trailmaster Edition is a packaging release. What changes is the label and the bottle size, not what is poured from it.
The Size and the Label
The bottle holds 375mL. That is about half the volume of a standard 750mL bottle, which makes it easier to carry and store than a full-size bottle. The label is the main feature, with its camouflage pattern meant to be a collectible for fans of the brand.
The company describes the release as limited, so it is not meant to be a permanent part of the lineup.
What Is Inside the Bottle
Aged Nine Years
The bourbon in the bottle is aged for nine years. That is a long stretch in the barrel, and it is part of what gives Knob Creek its reputation for bold, full flavor. It is bottled at 100 proof, which is 50 percent alcohol by volume. The company says it is crafted using traditional, tried-and-true methods.
Image credit: Knob Creek
How It Is Described
Knob Creek describes the bourbon in three stages: the aroma, the taste and the finish.
The aroma opens with toasted nuts, grain and oak. Those are the kind of smells many people connect with a well-aged American whiskey.
On the palate, it is described as rich, sweet and woody, with subtle fruit notes mixed in. That gives it some depth beyond the oak and grain at the front.
The finish is long and warming, which is a trait often tied to higher-proof bourbon.
Built Around Fall and the Outdoors
Cabin Weekends and Crisp Days
The company says the release was made with fall in mind. That means the kind of moments that bring people together, from crisp days outside to weekends at the cabin. The season is a busy one for hunters, campers and anyone who likes to get out before the cold sets in. Camo fits right in.
Easy to Pack and Share
The smaller size is a big part of the pitch. Knob Creek calls the bottle easy to pack and easy to share. A 375mL bottle takes up less room in a bag, a truck or a cabin cupboard than a full-size bottle.
The company notes the bourbon can be served neat or on the rocks. Those are two of the simplest ways to have bourbon, and neither needs any extra gear or mixers, which suits a trip where space is tight.
A Holiday Gift Angle
The release also comes just ahead of the holiday season. Knob Creek points out that the 375mL size makes the Trailmaster Edition a natural fit as a stocking stuffer for an outdoorsman or a bourbon lover. The collectible label gives it a bit more of a gift feel than a plain bottle would have.
As with any alcohol product, it is meant only for adults of legal drinking age, and it should be enjoyed responsibly.
Price and Availability
Knob Creek Trailmaster Edition is available for a limited time. The suggested retail price is $21.99 for a 375mL bottle. Prices at individual stores can differ, since the figure given is a suggested price and not a set one.
The Bigger Picture
Knob Creek has long leaned on a rugged, traditional image, and this release lines that image up with the outdoors in a very direct way. By putting camo on the label, the brand is tying its bourbon to the same world as hunting gear, ball caps and weekends away from town.
For fans, the Trailmaster Edition offers the same nine-year-old, 100 proof bourbon in a smaller bottle with a collectible design. For people who like to collect labels or who enjoy a bit of outdoor flavor in their bar cart, it is a new piece to look for while the limited run lasts.
