Booker’s

Book Review: “The Big Man of Jim Beam” by Jim Kokoris


Booker Noe and I have two major things in common.  The first is our fondness for the ever-funny sitcom Sanford & Son.  Secondly, and more importantly, is our love of bourbon.

I was just getting into whiskey when Booker Noe passed away in 2004, so I didn’t know much about him.  In fact, it wasn’t until I had my first sip of Booker’s Bourbon that I started to wonder who this guy was.  Over the years I’d read the occasional story here and there, along with some “Booker-isms.”  So, when the chance to read a biography of the man himself popped up, I went all in.

“The Big Man of Jim Beam” by Jim Kokoris covers Booker’s life.  It’s an engaging read, but things REALLY start moving on the chapter focusing on Booker’s first day on the job.  Some really funny stories are recounted, providing plenty of laugh out loud moments.

The creation of Booker’s Bourbon is another tentpole moment in Booker’s life and the bourbon world, and is covered in-depth here.  My eyes remained glued to this book.  After all, I was reading about how my favorite Jim Beam whiskey came into existence.  

From young man to master distiller to brand ambassador, Booker Noe enjoyed a storied career.  Kokoris’s new book paints a fascinating image of one of the most important distillers of our day.  This is a must read for anyone who’s ever enjoyed a glass of Booker’s, or any Jim Beam bourbon for that matter.  

You can buy a copy at the Jim Beam online store at store.jimbeam.com

Thanks to Jim Beam for a copy of this book.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2016-05 “Off Your Rocker” Review

Photo credit: Booker’s Bourbon


As autumn hits us, so does a new batch of Booker’s bourbon.  The fifth batch of 2016, “Off Your Rocker,” references both late Jim Beam Master Distiller Booker Noe’s favorite chair and his lively personality.  A statue of Booker sitting in a rocking chair can be found on the grounds of the Jim Beam distillery.  As for the man himself, he was known as a straight shooter and a funny guy.  I just started reading a new book about Booker’s life – “The Big Man of Jim Beam” by Jim Kokoris.  So far, it’s a great read about an interesting, larger-than-life man.  I’ll share some thoughts on the book soon.  In the meantime, let’s talk about the whiskey.

Booker’s bourbon is always bottled at barrel strength.  This batch comes in at a high 129.7 proof.  The youngest barrels in this batch are 6 years, 7 months, 23 days old, and all barrels come from four different rack houses.

One thing that’s common among all batches of Booker’s is a big vanilla note.  “Off Your Rocker” is no exception.  Buttered corn grits, vanilla and molasses play big on the nose.  That high proof is evident on entry at first, ever so slightly numbing the tongue.   Your sense of taste quickly recovers and experiences big vanilla, cornbread, and cinnamon & allspice notes alongside some oak, roasted peanuts and a touch of leather.  I’ve never detected leather as a tasting note in Booker’s until now.   (After several tastings it’s still there.) The finish is long and warm, as expected, and carries caramel corn and oak notes.

I’ve said before that I’ve never encountered a batch of Booker’s I didn’t like.  Sure, on the surface they all have that Booker’s flavor profile.  Dig a little deeper and you can find some nuances that differ from batch to batch.  Most batches I like, and some batches I really like.  Batch 2016-05 falls in the latter category.  The subtleties here make it slightly more intriguing than previous batches.  Pick up a bottle and let me know what you think.  Highly recommend.  9/10

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

Booker’s Batch 2016-04 “Bluegill Creek” Bourbon Review

Booker’s Batch 2016-04 is named after Booker Noe’s love for fishing.  He’d take his son, current Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe, fishing for bluegill.  Other than making bourbon, fishing was one of Booker’s passions.

This batch of Booker’s comes in at 128 proof and aged 6 years, 5 months and 28 days.  Limited editions aside, Booker’s will always come in between 6 and 8 years.  The label mentions that THE Jim Beam liked his bourbon aged in that range.  “Bluegill Creek” barrels were pulled from four different rack houses, always from the center racks.

One thing Booker’s is known for is its big vanilla note.  This is true of all batches of Booker’s, and this one is no exception.  That vanilla note is present in the sweet nose alongside light brown sugar, sweet corn and a touch of baking spices.  Taste-wise, I get vanilla, sweet & spicy popcorn, caramel, and a touch of ground cinnamon and peanut oil.  There isn’t that young corn/grain note I picked up in some of the earlier batches.  The nuttiness I normally get from Booker’s is minimal.  What makes this batch unique is the presence of more prevalent baking spices.  The finish is long, warm and semi-sweet.

All in all, another solid batch of Booker’s, and an extremely drinkable one.  This one earns an easy recommendation.  8.5/10

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