Jim Beam

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.

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.

Knob Creek 2001 Bourbon Review

Knob Creek 2001

The standard 9-year-old, 100 proof Knob Creek is a solid pour.  Then came its higher proof, single barrel brother.  That expression came in at 120 proof and proved to be much more than just “a little stronger”.  It’s packed with so much flavor.

So, when Jim Beam announced a limited edition, 14-year-old version of Knob Creek I couldn’t contain my excitement.  About 36,000 bottles (roughly 12,000 bottles per batch) of Knob Creek 2001 are being released, which isn’t a lot by any stretch of the imagination.  You’ll find three batches of Knob Creek 2001, each with a slightly different flavor profile.  Batch 1 favors the sweeter caramel and vanilla notes, while Batch 2 leans towards the oakier side of things.  In the middle of the two batches lies Batch 3.

Knob Creek 2001 has no inherent age statement on the label, but it is a 14-year-old bourbon distilled in 2001, hence the name.  Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe said this whiskey is just shy of being 15 years old.  This limited release carries an SRP of $130.

In an attempt to do something a little different, I’ve posted my first impressions of Knob Creek 2001 on Youtube.  You can watch that video below or jump past that for my full tasting notes.

For the most part, my first impressions were echoed in this separate tasting.  The nose has big notes of slightly burnt caramel, concentrated vanilla bean, honey roasted peanuts with hints of old leather jacket.  Old dusty oak is present the entire time but never overpowers.  The entry starts with an initial burst of sweetness provided by the caramel and vanilla combination.  A wave of spicy cinnamon sticks and cloves takes over the mid-palate alongside some Jim Beam nuttiness.  The smallest touch of burnt orange peel pops up afterwards.  That old, tannic oak found in the nose ramps up throughout the entire tasting experience, peaking at the dry finish.

Knob Creek 2001 feels richer and more refined than the standard offering, which seems a tad anemic next to this.  This is Batch 1, which is supposed to be the sweetest of the three batches.  As I said in the video, this batch is about as oak-heavy as I’d want Knob Creek to be.  Any more oak will throw the whiskey out of balance.  If I’m buying, I’d reach for Batch 1.  While not the best value for the price (Knob Creek Single Barrel carries that honor), Knob Creek 2001 is quite an enjoyable bourbon and comes with a recommendation.

8.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by the company behind this whisky free of charge.  The opinions written are my own.)