Knob Creek teamed up with Smithey Ironwear to celebrate the re-release of its 18 Year Old Bourbon with a very special cast-iron skillet. The limited edition version of Smithey's No. 12 Traditional Skillet is seasoned 18 times — 15 times more than the brand's stock skillets — and features Knob Creek branding on the handle.
"Knob Creek fans appreciate the quality of intentional workmanship, and we're excited to re-release our extra-aged Knob Creek 18 Year Old for a limited time," seventh-generation master distiller Fred Noe says in a statement.
"The partnership between Knob Creek and Smithey Ironware came from the passion that both brands have for the details, whether it's with cooking or in a fine glass of bourbon. With this special 18x seasoned cast-iron skillet, we were able to come together and create a product that celebrates those fine details, alongside the re-release of Knob Creek's oldest release to date."
Made in Charleston, South Carolina, the Knob Creek x Smithey 18x Seasoned Skillet has a 12-inch diameter, 2.2-inch depth and 10.5-inch cook surface. The design features thick sidewalls with dual pour spouts, holes on both sides for hanging and a traditional handle. Unlike mass-market cast iron, Smithey skillets have a satin-smooth, polished cook surface. It's a superlative piece of cookware — as such, Gear Patrol selected the No. 12 Traditional Skillet as its Best Upgrade Cast-Iron Skillet.
The 18 layers of seasoning — Smithey pre-seasons its skillets with grapeseed oil — create a highly non-stick finish with a deep copper color. Though the brand's traditional skillets are also pre-seasoned, the additional layers accelerate the seasoning process making cooking in (and subsequently cleaning) the skillet a pleasure.
The skillet is priced at $300 and comes with two custom leather coasters and Knob Creek-inspired recipes. No alcohol is included in the set, but Knob Creek's 18 Year Old Bourbon ($170) is available separately for a limited time. Aged twice as long as its flagship Small Batch 9-Year Bourbon — Gear Patrol's Best Overall Bourbon pick — Knob Creek 18 Year Old is a full-bodied, copper-hued sipper with notes of caramelized oak, vanilla and baking spices.
