Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Eli Manning's Bold Pick 2026 Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Quarterbacks are usually taught to play it safe, but Eli Manning’s "Bold Pick" for 2026 throws that playbook out the window. Partnering with the legends at Clermont, the two-time champion didn't just slap his name on a label; he dug through the racks to find a profile that hits harder than a linebacker. This isn't the gentle sipper you bring to a polite dinner.

It is Knob Creek in its most primal, unvarnished form. Bottled at a signature 120 proof, this Single Barrel Select retains the massive, pre-prohibition style texture that Booker Noe originally envisioned. The liquid is dark, brooding, and packed with the signature Beam nuttiness that fans crave, amplified by the specific micro-climate of the selected floor.

You are tasting a specific, unblended moment of maturation that won’t ever be replicated. It’s a pocket passer with a cannon for an arm. If you want to know what a Hall of Fame palate looks like, crack this open.

Nose: A savory, inviting aroma of roasted peanut shells and maple sugar kicks things off, quickly followed by heavy charred oak and a touch of old leather.

Palate: The texture is oily and aggressive, delivering a blitz of caramel corn and dark chocolate that is countered by a sharp, spicy vein of cinnamon and rye.

Finish: Long and resonant, the heat lingers on the chest with trailing flavors of pipe tobacco, vanilla bean, and a final, drying wood spice.

The high proof and "Beam funk" nuttiness require bold, savory companions. Serve this alongside pulled pork sliders; the sweet barbecue sauce and fatty meat will tame the 120-proof heat. For a cheese option, sharp cheddar is essential, as the bite of the cheese stands up to the oak tannins. If you need a dessert pairing, a slice of pecan pie is the ultimate match, locking perfectly into the bourbon’s roasted nut profile.