Booker’s

Booker’s Batch 2016-03 “Toogie’s Invitation” Bourbon Review


One of my favorite things is getting a sample of a new batch of Booker’s.  I’m what’s referred to online as a “Booker’s Fanboy.”  It means I love Booker’s bourbon.  I’ve repeatedly stated it’s my favorite regular release from Jim Beam.  Booker’s is released in batches several times a year.  Though all batches pretty much smell and taste like Booker’s should, there are subtle variations from batch to batch.

The third batch of Booker’s bourbon of 2016 is called “Toogie’s Invitation”.  Marilyn “Toogie” Dick was a lifelong friend of Booker Noe, helping him select one of the first batches of Booker’s at the Noe kitchen table.  This close friendship found Toogie, Booker and his wife, Annis, traveling the world together.  She was welcome at the Noe house anytime.  This batch is also the first Booker’s Roundtable selection of 2016, one that even found Toogie as part of that selection group.

Even though it’s all marketing, I do like that the story here is true.  I also like that Toogie took part in the selection of this batch.  There’s a bit of authenticity found here that’s missing in other brands’ marketing.

This batch is aged 6 years, 4 months and 4 days at bottled at 129 proof.  Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe says barrels that make up this batch came from six different rack houses.  As always, Booker’s is presented uncut and unfiltered.  If you’ve never had a barrel strength bourbon, Booker’s is a good place to start.

Present is an expected robust nose, featuring vanilla bean, caramel corn, dried basil and toasted oak.  Flavors pretty much reflect what’s found in the nose.  Sweet corn, barrel char, cinnamon and burnt sugar over a bed of vanilla.  A touch of herb appears mid-palate.  The finish is long and warm, with notes of cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean, along with a strange bitterness that wears away quickly.

This batch is pretty standard for Booker’s, which is good enough in and of itself.  However, I feel the need to compare to previous batches, and what stands out here is the light herbal note and that slight bitterness on the finish.  It’s not off putting in the least. Quite the opposite is true.  It’s what makes this batch just a touch different and all the more interesting.  Nicely done.  

8/10

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

Booker’s Batch 2016-02 “Annis’ Answer” Bourbon Review

Bookers 2016_02

The second batch of Booker’s bourbon released in 2016 is called “Annis’ Answer”, honoring the day former Jim Beam master distiller (and this bourbon’s namesake) Booker Noe proposed to his wife Annis.  Since 2015, every batch of Booker’s is dedicated to one aspect of Booker Noe’s life, both professional and personal.

Bookers 2016_02 BBooker’s is a barrel-strength bourbon.  Other than filtering out chunks of barrel wood, this bourbon is pretty much straight out of the barrel.  This uncut whiskey is usually aged between six and eight years.  Fred Noe, current Jim Beam master distiller and Booker’s son, said, “The batch is made up of barrels from four different production dates stored in 5 different storage areas. The oldest barrels in the batch were 7 years, 1 month old and the youngest barrels were 6 years, 2 month old.”

Batch 2016-02 is bottled at 126.7 proof.  Bourbon beginners might want to add a splash of water.  However, I think everyone should experience a barrel strength whiskey at least once.  Maybe take a few sips neat before adding water.

The nose is filled with robust vanilla, caramelized sugar, burnt orange peel, and charcoal over a hint of lavender.  Taste-wise, a tantalizing concentration of dark brown sugar, vanilla extract, fresh orange, and toasted oak.  The finish is long and warm with notes of cinnamon, vanilla and slightly drying oak tannins.

This is one of my favorite batches of Booker’s since “Dot’s Batch,” which was released early 2015.  It’s a tad more complex than the usual releases.  However, I haven’t run across a bad batch yet.  My reaction to Booker’s usually goes from “mmm… me likey” to “oh my God!”  The latter was from tasting Booker’s 25th Anniversary, one of my favorite bourbons ever.  Just like Annis said to Booker the night he asked her to be his wife, say “yes” to this batch of Booker’s.

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

Booker’s Batch 2016-01 “Booker’s Bluegrass” Bourbon Review

Photo courtesy of Booker's.

Photo courtesy of Booker’s.

Since 2015, every batch of Booker’s bourbon from Jim Beam has been given a name in addition to a batch number.  From a marketing standpoint, it seems to be working.  The brand experienced double digit growth in 2015, according to Nielsen data.  This particular batch, the first of 2016, is named “Booker’s Bluegrass” after Booker Noe’s love of bluegrass music.

As stated right on the label, Booker’s is aged between six and eight years.  This one sits right in the middle at 6 years and 11 months old.  This batch comes to us at 127.9 proof, uncut and unfiltered.

The nose carries an overall profile that’s typical of Booker’s.  There’s robust caramel and vanilla, with a touch of oak and nuts.  I can pick out some sweet corn grain, but it’s not as prevalent as in past batches.  The high proof delivers big flavors.  On the entry is a little heat, followed by sweet corn grain, roasted nuts, and vanilla.  Caramel provides a bit of sweetness alongside the corn note, but it seems a bit thin.  Booker’s usually ends with a long finish.  This batch, however, features a shorter finish than expected.

This is a good, solid batch of Booker’s, but not a particularly memorable one.  As I wrote before, all batches of Booker’s carry an overall similar flavor profile.  Since they are all “small” batches, some variation will take place. Though a delicious and extremely sippable whiskey, this batch doesn’t quite stand up to last year’s excellent “Dot’s Batch”, but it’s close.  That said, if you’re a fan of the brand, you won’t be disappointed with “Booker’s Bluegrass.”

8/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Booker’s.)