Sam Houston 14yr Vs. Knob Creek 15yr

These are both around 100 proof, both around $100, and very close in age… Can Fancy Glencairn cruise to another win today?

Sam Houston) this 14 year old whiskey is a blend of 3-barrel-batches for each state where it was released this year. My Missouri batch was $108, and is bottle #258/462. 98proof.
-The nose is beautiful. Oak along with a deep vanilla and Strawberries and stone-fruits. There is also caramel, cinnamon, and a hint of mint.
-The palate starts with a slightly thin mouthfeel. Brown sugar and cinnamon up front, then oak, caramel, honey, vanilla and cinnamon. The fruitiness of the nose does not really translate to the palate. 
-The medium finish is very oaky, along with caramel a little spice.
Overall this is a very good, sweet pour, that smells a little better than it tastes. For me the palate is very good, but not very complex. I love the label!

Knob Creek 15yr) $99, 100proof.
-The nose is very oaky, along with caramel, chocolate covered peanuts, vanilla, and a beautiful dark cherry fruitiness.
-The palate has a slightly oily mouthfeel, and is much more fruity than the Sam Houston. There is more oak, but not overpowering or tannic. There is an immediate fruity, honey, sweetness, lots of dark cherry and bright citrus, along with some herbal complexity, and a touch of leather. The oak is present throughout, but well integrated.
-The finish is pretty long, with brown-sugar, oak, leather, and baking spices.
Overall, this one has really impressed me this year, and has seemed to get better and better as the bottle has been open.

VERDICT) These are both great bottles, and as limited editions I actually do think they are both worth close to the retail prices. I can definitely recommend picking up a Sam Houston if you find it for SRP.
However, It’s a sad day for Fancy… Today she is easily taken out by what I am starting to think is a top-five bottle of the year so far. There is something special about the Knob Creek 15yr that has really surprised me (as someone who has never been a huge Knob Creek fan). It’s better than any store-pick I’ve had.