barrel proof

Booker’s Bourbon “Sip Awhile” Batch 2017-04 Review

Making its way to shelves in time for the holiday season, Booker’s “Sip Awhile” marks the brand’s last batch of 2017. “Sip Awhile” refers to the Noe family’s insistence of having a good time while sipping on a glass of bourbon. The late Booker Noe started bottling honey barrels from the center floors of his favorite warehouses and gifting bottles to friends during the holidays. Eventually, this barrel proof bourbon became known as Booker’s bourbon.

“Sip Awhile” is bottled at a cask strength of 64.05% ABV, or 128.1 proof. The youngest barrels in the batch are 6 years, 8 months, and 14 days old. Barrels from four different production dates and three different warehouses comprise the batch.

I look at my glass of Booker’s and think, “Look at those legs!” The nose carries hints of cinnamon rolls, cedar plank, vanilla and roasted almonds. It carries with it a slightly oily and full-bodied mouthfeel. More than I remember for the last couple of batches. The palate is where Booker’s really comes to life. Initial waves of caramel and spice give way to big vanilla and barrel char. There’s a mild oak grip on the back of the palate. The long, chest-warming finish features spiced caramel, dark chocolate and sun-cured tobacco.

I haven’t enjoyed a batch of Booker’s like this since the beginning of the year with Batch 2017-01 (Tommy’s Batch). I got less of that roasted sweet corn and a bit more complexity than the last couple of releases, giving “Sip Awhile” a very slight shift in the Booker’s flavor profile. What a wonderful way to end the year. Recommended! 8.5/10

Bookersbourbon.com

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

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Review (Batch B517)


I always look forward to tasting new batches of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.  Five months into 2017 and we’re just starting to see the second batch, B517, hit shelves.  This one comes in at 124.2 proof.  Not as high as previous batches, but still hearty nonetheless.  I find the quality of these releases to be pretty consistent.  I wouldn’t expect this batch to be any different.  

Waves of caramel, dark chocolate and dark fruits fill the nose.  Wisps of sweet corn and cinnamon bark also show up after a few minutes in the glass.  The entry is rich.  I’d expect nothing else from this whiskey.  Caramel and oak are prominent, complemented by hints of espresso, vanilla, allspice, black cherry and buttered corn.  The finish is long with bittersweet oak and spice notes.  

Bottom line, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B517 is pretty damn tasty.  I did find oak played a slightly bigger part here, especially compared to this year’s first batch.  That didn’t put me off from enjoying the whiskey, which I tasted at full proof.  I didn’t need to add any water to this one.  Sure, water will open it up a touch, but you’ll miss that concentrated blast of flavor that only a barrel proof whiskey can deliver.  8.5/10

Thanks to Heaven Hill for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2017-01 “Tommy’s Batch” Review


Earlier this year, I was asked to take part in the Booker’s Roundtable selection of the next batch of Booker’s.  That batch, 2017-01, or “Tommy’s Batch”, is now upon us.  Though I took part in selecting this batch, I’ll do my best to be as impartial as I can be with this post.

This batch is named after Tommy Crume, a longtime distillery who worked closely with the late Booker Noe.  Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe said the following about Tommy:

“I’m proud to share the first of four batches in the Booker’s® Bourbon 2017 Batch Collection, Batch 2017-01, also called Booker’s “Tommy’s Batch.” I’m especially pleased to release this special batch as our first, as it is named in tribute to Tommy Crume, who started his career at the distillery as a young man and worked closely alongside Dad for decades. They spent so much time together that we used to joke that he was like a second son to Dad!   

Over all those years, Tommy learned just how Dad liked things to be done around the distillery, especially when it came to his namesake bourbon and eventually worked his way up to Distillery Manager at the Clermont, Ky. plant, helping to make sure that everything continued to run just the way Dad would have wanted.   

After almost 30 years with us, Tommy retired in 2016 and I know Dad would be honored to name the first batch of 2017 after his dear friend. I hope you’ll join me in raising a glass of Booker’s “Tommy’s Batch” in celebration of Dad’s legacy and Tommy’s, too.” 

As for the bourbon, it’s a blend of whiskies from two production dates (January 2009 & July 2010) – making the youngest whiskey in the batch 6 years, 4 months, and 6 days old.  Barrels were pulled from the 6th and 7th floor of three warehouses.  It was a small batch (for Jim Beam, anyway), with 335 barrels comprising this release.  Like all batches of Booker’s, this is bottled at barrel proof (128.5). Also, it’s the first to be priced between $69.99 – $74.99, though a friend of mine saw it on a shelf for $54.  If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know my thoughts on the price increase.  Agree or disagree, we all have an opinion.

The nose is classic Booker’s – big and robust, with hints of vanilla, molasses, charred oak, kettle corn and herbs.  Taste-wise, right past that intital high octane burn, find toasted sweet corn and light brown sugar, developing into some cigar box, vanilla and toasted almonds.  A hint of chocolate covered oranges appears late-palate, along with a touch of fresh basil.  The finish is long and warming.  Something I’ve come to expect from Booker’s.  Lingering notes of honey nut cereal, molasses, and barrel char make you want to reach for another sip.  

Tommy’s Batch is another fantastic release of Booker’s.  It’s as good or slightly better than recent batches.  The faint ‘chocolate-covered oranges’ note is a welcome surprise.  I know the price increase is a touchy subject with many, and we all have our opinions.  Price aside, this new batch is classic “Booker’s,” and comes with my recommendation.  9/10

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