Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2016-06 “Noe Hard Times” Review

My first whiskey review of 2017 is of one of the most controversial newsmakers of the past year – Booker’s bourbon.  Batch 2016-06 is the last batch of 2016, and the last to carry the old SRP of $59.99.  Beam Suntory has decided to raise the price of Booker’s to $99.99, only to come back with the decision to gradually raise the price.  We’ll first see a small increase to $69.99 in the beginning of 2017 with the next batch, followed by an eventual increase to $74.99 by the end of the year.  I think it’s a move they should have made from the start, as I agree with the company in that Booker’s has been undervalued. A few years ago $50-$60 was just the right price for this whiskey, one I’ve called the best regular production bourbon in the Jim Beam staple.  However, in today’s current bourbon market, where $100 seems to be the new $50, I’m not so upset seeing Booker’s eventually make it to the $100 price range.  There’s currently nothing in the Beam lineup in that price range, and it’d be an idiotic move to not bump up the price.  Yes, they shouldn’t have announced the immediate jump, but they’ve since rethought things (or looked through their anger-filled Twitter feed) and decided upon the incremental price rise.  There will be many of you who disagree, and that’s perfectly fine.  I’ve shared my thoughts and have nothing more to say on the matter.  Now, to the more urgent matter at hand, and the reason you’re here – onwards to the review!

“Noe Hard Times” remembers Booker Noe’s nickname during his football-playing youth.  Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe said this about this current release:

Dad was larger-than-life in personality and stature, and possessed both from an early age. Needless to say, no team in central Kentucky wanted to line up against such a formidable opponent. This, combined with a birthday in December 1929, just on the cusp of the Great Depression, earned him the nickname “Hard Times” on and off the field.

Batch 2016-06 comes from six different rack houses and six different production dates.  It’s bottled uncut and unfiltered at 127.8 proof and is aged a minimum of 6 years, 10 months, and 1 day.

The nose is full of big vanilla and baked corn notes, as well as hints of wood smoke, burnt sugar, black cherries and roasted peanuts.  Booker’s slightly oily and somewhat creamy entry features vanilla bean, cherry cola, barrel char and sweet corn.  A touch of herbs fill the back palate.  Cinnamon sticks and caramel chews linger on the long, warm finish.

As expected, we have another great batch of Booker’s bourbon.  Sure, the pricing controversy has overshadowed this batch, but rest assured – this is the Booker’s bourbon we all know and love.  8.5/10

Thanks to Booker’s Bourbon for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Frey Ranch Vodka and Gin Review
frey-vodka-styled-jeff-dow

Photo courtesy of Frey Ranch

I don’t make it a habit of reviewing vodka and gin here on this site.  After all, the site’s called “Adventures In Whiskey.”  However, I think it’s a good idea to throw in an unaged spirit every now and then.  As I was coming up with that thought, the folks at Reno’s Frey Ranch reached out to see if I’d be interested in trying their vodka and gin.  Perfect timing.

Opened in 2010, Frey Ranch is a fairly new distillery, though it’s Nevada’s oldest legal distillery.  Right now they offer a vodka, absinthe, gin and a new barrel-aged gin.  While they do distill whiskey, it’s still aging and should be available shortly.

Since I don’t drink a lot of vodka or gin, I won’t be scoring these.  Instead, I’ll only provide some tasting notes.

The vodka is made from corn, wheat, rye and barley – all grown on the estate.  It’s distilled to 196 proof and bottled at 80 proof.  The nose features a bit of rubbing alcohol at first, easing into very feint grain and grain notes.  The palate is on the sweeter side, with light grain, vanilla and floral notes.  The finish is pretty short.  Overall, it’s one of the more pleasant vodkas I’ve had.  It’s not rough-around-the-edges like so many, and leans slightly on the sweet floral side of things.

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Photo courtesy of Frey Ranch.

Frey Ranch’s gin is distilled from grains grown on the estate.  It’s flavored with juniper berries and sagebrush also sourced from the ranch, along with other botanicals.  This one’s bottled at 90 proof.  The nose is very herbal and medicinal, with a touch of perfume. The juniper berries really come through, but don’t dominate.  The sagebrush is also a big contributor here.  Taste-wise, this gin is spicy and herbal, with juniper berries, white pepper, anise and spearmint.  The finish is rather refreshing and minty.

Though I still prefer my spirits to sleep in barrels, these offerings from Frey Ranch are nice.  I can’t wait to see how their whiskey turns out.

freyranch.com

Thanks to Frey Ranch for the samples.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Copper & Kings Floodwall and 3 Marlenas Apple Brandy Reviews


While most distillers in Kentucky are busy making whiskey, Louisville’s Copper & Kings is preaching the word of American brandy to whoever listens.  I’ve been a fan of what Joe Heron and company are doing since first tasting their brandy last year.  To you hardcore whiskey drinkers, give brandy a chance.  At the very least, it gives you a delicious alternative to bourbon or rye whiskey.  Today, we’re looking at their apple brandies – Floodwall and 3 Marlenas.

Named after the wall that surrounds and protects the Butchertown neighborhood, Floodwall is Copper & Kings’ standard apple brandy offering.  I’ve reached out to Joe for clarification on how this differs from the previous Copper & Kings apple brandy.  He told me this release has matured for at least four years in ex-bourbon and sherry casks.  The difference though is they are now using smaller sherry casks – 225L casks instead of 500L butts.  As before, this apple brandy has been bottled at 100 proof.  There’s a nice tartness on the nose, like a spiced apple cider.  A bit of citrus and caramel sweetness balance out the nose.  Taste-wise, lots of baking spice and graham crackers, granny smith apple, and lemon zest.  A touch of butterscotch flows through the entire tasting experience.  8/10


The 3 Marlenas is an apple brandy that’s enjoyed a second maturation in tequila casks for two years.  It’s a bit of a limited edition: only 1,000 375mL bottles are available at the distillery.  How is it?  Interesting, actually.  The nose is nicely balanced between the apple brandy and tequila casks,  featuring baking spice, toffee, ripe apple, and cooked agave.  The entry starts off sweet with apple pastry, followed by some ginger liqueur and vanilla.  A bit of aged tequila shows up on the backend.  The finish softens a bit, leaving behind a sort of sweet tequila note.  8/10

Both of these expressions were interesting.  I think I like the new Floodwall apple brandy better than it’s previous incarnation.  As for 3 Marlenas, only someone as crazy as Joe Heron could think of putting apple brandy in tequila casks and make it work.

copperandkings.com

Thanks to Copper & Kings for the samples.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.