bourbon review

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.)

Blood Oath Bourbon Pact No. 2 (2016) Review

Blood Oath 2016

The second annual release of Luxco’s ultra-premium Blood Oath bourbon has just hit shelves.  Like last year’s inaugural release,  Blood Oath Pact No. 2 is a blend of three bourbon whiskies.  First, is an 11-year-old bourbon with a traditional rye mashbill.  Whiskey number two is an 11-year old “wheated” bourbon, or one with wheat in it’s mashbill instead of rye.  Third, but certainly not least, is a 7-year-old bourbon that’s finished in port barrels.

You’ll notice two important changes from the first release.  Pact No. 2’s average age is probably a tad older than Pact No. 1.  Also of note is the port finishing for the youngest bourbon.

Like the first release, this one is bottled at 98.6 proof and comes in a fancy wooden case.  The price also carries over from last year – $99.99 for a 750ml bottle.  The producers (not the distillers) of this bourbon say this blend will not be duplicated. Onwards to the fun part – the tasting.

The nose here is sweet, spicy and fruity.  Sweet corn mash, vanilla, ginger ale, and a summer berry medley jump out of the glass.  The last bit is no doubt a result of the port finish on one of this blend’s whiskies, and that port barrel influence also carries onto the palate.  Notes of cordial cherries and fresh ginger root develop into rich clover honey, vanilla extract and cinnamon.  A blast of sweet and slightly tart fresh berries make for the beginning of a delightful finish, but a sudden hit of astringent oak tannins comes out of nowhere.

I think the use of port barrel finishing one of these whiskies is a brilliant move.  It adds wonderful fruit notes and makes Blood Oath Pact No. 2 a more complex and enjoyable whiskey than last year’s release.  My first glass of this bourbon was just okay.  A couple weeks of airtime really improved things.  If it wasn’t for that slightly overdrying finish, this would be an absolute knockout.  Still, it’s worthy of a pour.

8.5/10
(A review sample was provided by Luxco.)

Michter’s 10-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon Review (2016)

Michters 10yr 2016

December 2015 saw the last release of Michter’s 10-year-old single barrel bourbon (read my review of that here).  I enjoyed it so much I named it one of my favorite whiskies of 2015.  Now, just five months later, Michter’s announced the next release of their 10-year-old bourbon.  That’s a pretty quick turnaround, and a welcome one, especially for whiskey enthusiasts who weren’t able to pick up a bottle.  These tend not to stick around on shelves.

“I love our 10 Year Bourbon and wish we could sell it year-round, but we just don’t have enough,” said Master Distiller Willie Pratt of the 2016 release.

Michter’s 10-year bourbon is part of their Limited Production line, which also features a 10-year-old rye whiskey and a 20-year-old bourbon.  All are single barrel releases.  The 10-year bourbon is bottled at 94.4 proof and is available for $120.

Michters 10yr 2016 tag

My sample comes from barrel 16B233.

This particular barrel of Michter’s 10-year-old bourbon has a rich, sweet nose.  Sweet corn pudding starts things off.  Dive in deeper and find some caramel, tobacco and some vanilla bean.   There’s some subtle cinnamon and clove upon entry, developing into a vanilla creme brûlée, slightly burnt caramel, almonds and dried orange peel.  That cinnamon spice from earlier pops back up a little stronger than it did on the entry.  Some oak tannins are present, but don’t leave too much of a drying effect until the longish finish, where a blast of vanilla coats the mouth, disappearing slowly and leaving behind a slightly dry oak.

The 2015 release is on the left, and the 2016 release is on the right.

The 2015 release is on the left, and the 2016 release is on the right.

How does it compare to the 2015 release?

That’s a question I’ve been asked by several folks since posting a “head-to-head” picture on my Instagram account.  (Cheap plug – follow @adventures_in_whiskey on Instagram.)  Back to the point.  This is less a question of how this whiskey compares year to year.  More accurately it’s a barrel versus barrel comparison, as both are single barrel releases.

My 2016 bottle doesn’t have as much vanilla upfront on the nose as the 2015 bottle.  It develops a little later with a little airtime.  It’s also a bit more complex, especially with that nice tobacco note.  The 2016 release also carries a more corn-based aroma.  The palate and finish has more oak and vanilla, and generally less spicy than the 2015, which carried big cinnamon notes.

Both are fantastic bourbons with luscious, elegant and vibrant profiles.  Either one easily deserves a place in your whiskey shelf.  Love ’em or hate ’em, the folks at Michter’s release quality whiskey and this 2016 10-year-old bourbon is no exception.  Highly recommended.

9/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Michter’s.)