Knob Creek Eli Manning's Bold Pick 2026 Batch Review

 

The Super Bowl is literally weeks away, and this weekend, we get to find out who the two contenders will be. Eli Manning knows a little something about Super Bowls – he quarterbacked the New York Giants in 2008 and 2012 and won both.

 

But does Manning know anything about whiskey? And, in particular, Bourbon? Last year, Knob Creek and Manning teamed up for what was called Eli Manning's Bold Pick.

 

"At this point in the season, you've made your calls, and it's now about seeing them through. Hand-picking this barrel was a bold pick of its own - balanced, uncompromising, and full of character. It held up every time I came back to it, and that's exactly what I expect from Knob Creek® when it counts most: a bourbon worthy of the biggest moments." – Eli Manning

 

Knob Creek and Manning have teamed up again for this year's release, called Eli Manning's Bold Pick: 2026 Batch.  

 

"Football teams are built on trust - trusting your picks, your preparation, and your instincts, whether you're on the field or managing your fantasy lineup. That same mindset guides how we make bourbon. Working with Eli last year set a high bar and bringing him back this season raised it. We put some of our finest barrels in front of him, and this one stood out right away. Bottled at cask strength, it delivers more intensity and more flavor - a full-bodied bourbon built for game day." – Freddie Noe, Master Distiller

 

Manning picked more than one barrel, and you'll find variations in proof ranging from 112.2° to 121.6°. Each has been unfiltered and uncut. My sample bottle is packaged at 116.4° and came from Warehouse 1 on the second rick of the third floor. That barrel was filled on 9/23/2015 and dumped on 10/7/2025. It is autographed by Eli Manning, which I assume adds value for collectors. Distribution is nationwide, and the suggested price is $69.99.

 

We'll get to the #DrinkCurious part in a moment; first, I must thank Knob Creek for providing me with this sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

• Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Distiller: Jim Beam Distilling Co.
• Age: 10 years
• Mashbill: 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley
• Cooperage: New, #4 charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 58.2% ABV (116.4°)
• Price per 750mL: $69.99
• Unfiltered, Uncut

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this Bourbon neat. Its color was a deep orange amber, which, to be frank, is the signature shade of higher-proofed Knob Creek whiskeys. A thinner rim generated slow, thick, syrupy tears.

 

Nose: I allowed the Bourbon to rest for about 15 minutes before engaging further. Once that passed, I brought the glass beneath my nostrils and began my sniffing journey. There was a blitz of cinnamon and brown sugar. I also found bold notes of tobacco, leather, and hazelnuts. Beneath all of those, I discovered cocoa powder. Inside my mouth, the air tasted of cherry fruit leather.

 

Palate: There was a crackback block with how soft its texture was. The proof was evident, yet I found the palate shock of leather and tobacco relatively muted. With my second sip, I identified brown sugar, cocoa, and hazelnuts on the front. Flavors of old leather, dried tobacco leaf, and cherries came next. The back featured notes of ancient oak, black pepper, and cinnamon.  

 

Finish: After swallowing, I encountered tobacco, black pepper, dry oak, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. It was even-keeled and lacked any roughness that can sometimes occur with uncut American whiskeys. When it began to fall off, it was gradual. Overall, the finish lasted 2:24.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Over the years, I have picked many Knob Creek single barrel whiskeys – both Bourbon and Rye. I can tell you that the samples I've had have been all over the spectrum, yet retain a handful of consistent qualities. Leather, black pepper, cherries, and cinnamon are requisite. While Knob Creek is Jim Beam distillate, its classic nuttiness is often less pronounced.

 

Eli Manning's Bold Pick: 2026 Batch (at least this particular barrel) follows that rule of thumb, with the exception that hazelnuts had a more substantial presence. The softer mouthfeel is also unusual. What's really weird is how so many 10-year-old-plus Knob Creek barrels weigh in far higher than 120°, yet this didn't even hit the mark.

 

Each time I sipped this Bourbon, it changed just a smidge, forcing me to concentrate on what was happening inside my mouth. It remained well-balanced; its softness never wavered. There's a two-point conversion with my rating. If you're looking for something that you can sip mindlessly,  Eli Manning's Bold Pick: 2026 Batch isn't it. However, if you desire something captivating and fascinating, it makes a commanding touchdown, which is why it earns my Bottle rating. Cheers!    

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.