Bourbon

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.

A New David Nicholson Expression

Photo courtesy of Luxco.


Photo courtesy of Luxco.

Luxco is giving their David Nicholson lineup some love.  They’ve updated the packaging to something a bit more upscale.  More importantly, a new expression is being launched.  David Nicholson Reserve is a 100 proof bourbon distilled from a rye mash bill, compared to the wheated mash bill of David Nicholson 1843.  The rye in the David Nicholson Reserve will give it a bit of spiciness.  Suggested retail price is about $35 – $40, where the 1843 should run about $30-$35.  I should have some tasting notes soon enough.  In the meantime, I’ve included the full press release below.

(St. Louis) June 27, 2016 – Luxco announced the brand refresh of David Nicholson 1843® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the launch of David Nicholson Reserve® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The brand, dating back to 1843 and part of Luxco’s portfolio of whiskeys since 2000, will continue to provide 100 proof ultra-premium bourbon, in an updated sleek, upscale package for both of the variants.

“The 100-proof bourbon category continues to explode with an impressive 24 percent growth rate*,” says Fletcher Buchman, brand manager at Luxco. “We continue to add products to our portfolio that fulfill the demand for craft bourbons with fuller flavor and connect current and future consumers that celebrate authentic bourbons.”David Nicholson Reserve is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that offers a rye mash bill for a spicy, warm finish and will be available in 750ml in July. This bourbon, bottled at 100 proof, is extra aged for a more robust flavor and a full-bodied long finish. Suggested retail price per bottle is $34.99-$39.99. The suggested retail price per bottle for the David Nicholson 1843 is $29.99-$34.99.

“David Nicholson 1843 is still made according to the original recipe and offers a smooth, wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with hints of vanilla and oak. For David Nicholson Reserve, with the rye mash bill, we achieved a more complex, toasted rich flavor and a spicier bourbon,” says Buchman.

The brand’s packaging refresh includes a sleeker, contemporary bottle and a cleaner label design. With the addition of a natural cork and embossing on the shoulder of the bottle, the packaging now reflects the award-winning bourbon inside. David Nicholson 1843 recently earned a double gold award in 2015 and a gold award in 2016 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

For more information about David Nicholson 1843 and David Nicholson Reserve, please visit http://www.davidnicholsonwhiskey.com

*Source: NABCA 9L R12 through March, 2016

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2016

Father’s Day is right around the corner, so I gathered a few whiskey gift suggestions.  These are mostly readily available, so finding them shouldn’t be too hard a task.

Pikesville Rye Whiskey:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2015/11/06/pikesville-rye-whiskey-review/

Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2016/05/02/michters-barrel-strength-rye-whiskey-2016-review/

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2014/05/08/four-roses-small-batch-bourbon/

Blade & Bow Bourbon:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2015/05/11/blade-and-bow-bourbon-whiskey/

High West Bourye:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2016/03/11/high-west-bourye-2016-review/

Booker’s Bourbon:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2016/05/12/bookers-batch-2016-02-annis-answer-bourbon-review/

Johnnie Walker Green Label Blended Scotch:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2015/06/18/johnnie-walker-green-label-scotch-whisky-review/

Glenmorangie 10-Year-Old Single Malt:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2016/03/14/glenmorangie-the-original-single-malt-scotch-whisky-review/

Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Single Malt:  https://adventuresinwhiskey.com/2015/09/08/laphroaig-10-year-old-cask-strength-single-malt-reviews/