Beam Suntory

Booker’s Bourbon “Noe Secret” Batch 2015-06 Review
Photo courtesy of Booker's.

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.

8.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Beam Suntory.)

Laphroaig 32-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review
Photo courtesy of Laphroaig.

Photo courtesy of Laphroaig.

This year, Laphroaig has reached a milestone 200th anniversary.  To celebrate, the distillery has released several limited edition whiskies.  Earlier this year we saw the (brief) return of Laphroaig 15-year-old, said to be a favorite of Prince Charles.  Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 was introduced at this year’s Fèis Ìle.  Both great whiskies.  Then Laphroaig announced a bombshell – a 32-year-old expression.

A very limited release, Laphroaig 32-year was aged exclusively in ex-Oloroso sherry casks.  It’s been bottled at 46.7% abv and is available at a suggested retail price of $1,200.

Thirty-two years is a very long time.  After such an extended maturation process, that infamous Laphroaig peaty punch is gone from the nose.  Instead, lovely stewed fruit (tropical fruit & red apples), brown sugar and baking spices are most prevalent aromas.  The peat smoke here is secondary, lifting the fruit notes above all else.  On entry, there’s a whiff of smoke that leads to honeyed and spiced fruit, and a hint of orange zest.  A brief bitter note shows up.  It lies somewhere between coffee and dark chocolate.  The sherry cask influence is evident in the form of spice and a very light wine note.  The smoke lurks in the background and, like in the nose, is not dominant.  Old and slightly astringent oak shows up for the dry finish.

Amazing.  Simply amazing.  Everything in this whisky is so beautifully balanced.  My gripe is there’s not enough of this whisky to go around.  It’s sad, really.  Anybody collecting this bottle should really pop the cork and pour a dram.  To sit on a shelf and collect dust is the real sin.  After all, whisky is made for drinking.  For those with deep pockets, this is an easy recommendation.

9.5/10
(Note: A small review sample was provided by Laphroaig.)

Laphroaig 15-Year-Old Single Malt Review

Laphroaig_15YO_BottleImage

Laphroaig is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year with a few special releases.  One of them is this 15-year-old expression.  It used to be a whisky in their core range, but that was a few years ago.  Now, for a limited time, fans can pick up a bottle.  I won’t be comparing this to the old bottling, as I’ve never had the old bottling.

Right out front is that peat smoke, but it’s not as dominant as in the 10-year-old Laphroaig.  Instead, it’s a bit mellower and sharing some space with a pineapple note, along with some toffee, citrus (orange) and a vegetal note.  This carries over onto the palate.  It starts off with sweet pineapple, followed by peat smoke, vanilla, seaweed, orange peel and salt.  The medium finish is reminiscent of smoky fruit.

I’ve got to admit, the tropical fruit note threw me a bit off and the smoke was kept in check.  It was sort of like eating a smoked ham.  You know, the kind with the pineapple on it.  It really grew on me by the third or fourth sip.  It’s a nice whisky, overall.  I’m thrilled to have been able to taste Laphroaig 15-year-old.  Now, to find my own bottle…    Recommended!

8/10
(Note: A small review sample was provided by Beam Suntory.)