Knob Creek Bourbon Dinner at Mr. B’s Steakhouse
Food and drink pairings are a passion of mine. On March 18th, I had the opportunity to attend a Knob Creek bourbon dinner at Mr. B’s Steakhouse. A four-course dinner pairing with each dish featuring a thoughtfully selected Knob Creek selection.
The format was unique: each course arrived alongside a full cocktail made with the featured whiskey, plus a small tasting pour, maybe a quarter ounce, of the whiskey itself neat. It gave you a chance to taste the spirit both in context and on its own.
The Menu
Woodfired Bone Marrow
Pickled Onion, Mustard Seeds, Grilled Sourdough Paired with: 7-Year Knob Creek
A bold opener. Bone marrow is rich and fatty, and the 7-Year Knob Creek’s oak and caramel notes held up well against it. The pickled onion with mustard seeds was a nice acidic cut through the richness, and the grilled sourdough gave a satisfying crunch.
MISO-Glazed Black Cod
Pacific Cod, Leek Fondue, Sea Bean Salad, Caviar Paired with: Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye
This was my favorite dish of the evening. The black cod had a beautifully crispy skin with a silky, flaky interior. The miso glaze brought a savory-sweet umami depth that was incredible. The sea bean salad added a light, briny freshness that complemented the richness of the fish perfectly. The Bourbon x Rye pairing worked well here, the rye spice cut through the miso’s sweetness without overwhelming the delicate cod. It had a lot of rye spice, which I really enjoyed.
Australian Wagyu Strip Loin
Potato Mousseline, Glazed Rainbow Carrots, Trumpet Mushrooms, Aged Balsamic Demi Paired with: 9-Year Knob Creek & 12-Year Knob Creek
This was my first time ever having Wagyu, and it absolutely lived up to the reputation. The texture was unlike any steak I’ve had before, incredibly tender, to the point where a fork was all you needed. No knife required. Getting two Knob Creek expressions side by side here was a nice touch, you could really taste how the extra age on the 12-Year added depth and smoothness.
Maple Crème Caramel
Creamy Custard, Maple Caramel, Candied Bacon Paired with: Smoked Maple Knob Creek
The crème caramel was smooth and creamy with a rich maple-forward flavor. The candied bacon added a surprising but welcome salty crunch. The Smoked Maple Knob Creek was tailor-made for this course was sweet, smoky, and dessert-forward. It almost felt like the spirit wasthe dessert.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the food was excellent and the pairings were well thought out. The format of cocktail plus a small neat pour of the featured whiskey was a great way to appreciate both the craft cocktail side and the spirit itself. I also appreciated how the progression of Knob Creek expressions across the evening told a story about age and flavor development.
If I had the opportunity to attend another pairing dinner like this, I would absolutely go again. It was a memorable evening.