Jim Beam

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.)

Booker’s Bourbon “Noe Secret” Batch 2015-06 Review
Photo courtesy of Booker's.

Photo courtesy of Booker’s.

Batch #2015-06, or “Noe Secret”, is the last batch of Booker’s of 2015.  It’s also the third batch selected by the Booker’s Roundtable, a panel of journalist and spirits writers.  This batch is aged 6 years, 8 months and 7 days, making it one of the younger batches released this year.  It’s bottled at a hearty 128.1 proof.  Remember, Booker’s is uncut and unfiltered.  This is straight from the barrel.

Jim Beam master distiller Fred Noe, son of late Booker Noe, explains this batch’s name:

“This batch’s name is a play on words, because Dad kept no secrets — in his life, or in the way he made his bourbon.  He used only the best ingredients available, and made me promise that after he retired, the recipe for Booker’s would never change — and it hasn’t. Booker’s Batch 2015-06 offers fans the robust, full-bodied whiskey profile they’ve come to know and love, just the way Dad liked it.”

The nose is full of vanilla, more so than the last batch of Booker’s I tasted, 2015-04.  It’s also not as grain forward as that batch.  Sweet corn, while still present, is just not as upfront.  Layers of caramel and barrel char build over a fresh red fruit note.  Sweet vanilla and light caramel present themselves upon entry.  Some oak, nuts and corn mash follow.  In a strange way this batch of Booker’s tastes closer to a high proof Jim Beam Black than it does the traditional Booker’s profile.  The finish is long, leaving you with some caramel corn and oak tannin.

Another win for Booker’s.  While not as fiery on entry as other batches, “Noe Secret” has a slight fruit note and it’s a welcome addition.  Pricing is in line with other batches – $59.99 for a 750ml bottle.  I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again – Booker’s is the best thing coming out of Jim Beam right now.  Recommended.

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

Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Knob Creek SB

I like single barrel expressions, especially when they are barrel proof or close to it.  These releases give us something unique in that different barrels will slightly vary in taste and smell.  This happens because the wood that composes the barrels differ in age, grain structure, etc.

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