Photo courtesy of Booker’s.

Batch #2015-06, or “Noe Secret”, is the last batch of Booker’s of 2015.  It’s also the third batch selected by the Booker’s Roundtable, a panel of journalist and spirits writers.  This batch is aged 6 years, 8 months and 7 days, making it one of the younger batches released this year.  It’s bottled at a hearty 128.1 proof.  Remember, Booker’s is uncut and unfiltered.  This is straight from the barrel.

Jim Beam master distiller Fred Noe, son of late Booker Noe, explains this batch’s name:

“This batch’s name is a play on words, because Dad kept no secrets — in his life, or in the way he made his bourbon.  He used only the best ingredients available, and made me promise that after he retired, the recipe for Booker’s would never change — and it hasn’t. Booker’s Batch 2015-06 offers fans the robust, full-bodied whiskey profile they’ve come to know and love, just the way Dad liked it.”

The nose is full of vanilla, more so than the last batch of Booker’s I tasted, 2015-04.  It’s also not as grain forward as that batch.  Sweet corn, while still present, is just not as upfront.  Layers of caramel and barrel char build over a fresh red fruit note.  Sweet vanilla and light caramel present themselves upon entry.  Some oak, nuts and corn mash follow.  In a strange way this batch of Booker’s tastes closer to a high proof Jim Beam Black than it does the traditional Booker’s profile.  The finish is long, leaving you with some caramel corn and oak tannin.

Another win for Booker’s.  While not as fiery on entry as other batches, “Noe Secret” has a slight fruit note and it’s a welcome addition.  Pricing is in line with other batches – $59.99 for a 750ml bottle.  I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again – Booker’s is the best thing coming out of Jim Beam right now.  Recommended.