Booker's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 128.6 Proof: 64.3 % Vol. Wow - is this a sweet tasting bourbonboth literally and figuratively! One of the most expensive bottles by the Booker's is the Booker's Batch 2018-02 'Backyard BBQ' Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750 ml which starts from $2745. The mid-palate leans back into the dark stone fruit and sweetness as it only slightly dries out. You really cant beat this bottle, especially if youre looking for a one-off bourbon gift. All Rights reserved. . Barrell puts out a lot of whiskeys every year. That aside, this is just delicious goddamn whiskey. For those who wish to enjoy bourbon in the summertime the way Booker did, pour . The juice spent 12-and-a-half years mellowing in warehouses C, D, K, L, and Q on floors one through three. The barrels are chosen according to a specific taste and married to create this high-proof expression. The sip draws you in with a spicy berry jam next to a perfumed note (kind of like wet potpourri) and buttery toffee sweetness. This was one of those whiskeys where from the first sip you almost automatically say, wow, thats nice and then immediately relax. This opens with a nose full of salted butter next to hints of very soft leather, light notes of vanilla bean, a touch of toffee sweetness, and freshly cracked walnuts with a dry edge. Every bar cart should have at least one Wilderness Trail on it. Each of these MGP barrels is hand-selected for its beauty and then bottled at cask strength to let that barrel shine through in the finished product. Boston Batch was selected on an unseasonably cool and rainy day, according to the notes from Fred Noe. With that in mind, we tasted this years releases side by side and ranked them below. Its a delicate balance of mixing great whiskeys to make something better than the individual parts. The taste has a hint of almond or walnut shell on the end that marries to a dry mouthfeel, vanilla notes, and a touch of tobacco chewiness. Though its very likely this is a low-rye bourbon mash. It has a heavy caramel and fudge profile with a good amount of spice from its high rye content. Heres Our Review Of Cocaine Bear: Oh Hell Yes! . Parker's Heritage 27 Year 2nd Edition. The distillery is the first African-American-owned brand working in the state. But once the spirit comes off the stills ,its filtered through charcoal, just like Tennessee whiskey, before its filled into the barrels. Over two centuries, the icon has churned out incredible releases, been named the best distillery in the world and even managed to create its own line of cigars.Sure, the distillery is known for producing legendary drams like Pappy Van Winkle and WL Weller, the . It was very easy-going and makes a killer cocktail. The finish really takes its time as the thick juice coats your mouth, leaving you with hints of spicy absinthe, cherry tobacco, and dark roasted coffee beans. This year the most used warehouse actually came down to a tie. All the barrels will come from Warehouse H (where Elmer T. Lee stored his private stash of barrels back in the day) and arrive with varying proofs. A slight black tea bitterness takes over on the end as the nuttiness, spiciness, and sweetness all come together for a big finish with plenty of warmth and boldness. Booker's Bourbon Whiskey $17.04 - $799.99 Booker's Little Book Bourbon $84.99 - $799.99 Booker's Bluegrass $176.99 - $199.00 Booker's Bourbon Noe Secret $139.89 - $199.99 Booker's 30th Anniversary Bourbon $143.74 - $7500.00 Booker's 2017-02 Blue Knights Batch Booker's Front Porch Batch Booker's Bourbon Batch 2017-04, Sip Awhile $149.99 - $189.00 Whiskybase uses external services to enhance the functionality of Whiskybase.com these external services are: - Google analytics for analytics- Mailchimp for sending our newsletters- Paypal, Multisafepay and Stripe for handeling Market paymentsYour personal data (collection, purchase price, tasting notes, reviews and checkins) are not shared with other companies and are securely stored in our database. Boston batch is a reference to the first distilling site where Booker Noe workedin Boston, Kentuckybut it wouldnt be a surprise if it was also in reference to the finishs Boston cream filling finish. The mid-palate leans creamy with light milk chocolate that leads back to the warmth with a dried red peppercorn pepperiness next to a rush of cedar boxes full of vanilla tobacco leaves with the slightest echo of menthol and dried reeds on the very deep back end. If youre looking for a fruity and young bourbon, then this is the bottle for you. Buffalo Trace's Pappy Van Winkle 's $3,000 price point points to the fact that it's one of the best bourbons on the market today. The nose opens with this rich and meaty plum presence next to a hint of buttery toffee and creamy vanilla with a touch of wood lurking in the background. From February 2022. That makes each release extremely unique and fleeting. These are released three times a year (were tasting the January 2021 release below) and the various expressions have been winning award after award. First, this is double aged, meaning that the whiskey spends 20 years mellowing in Buffalo Traces warehouses or twice as long as standard Eagle Rare. The juice is rendered with grains from Texas and water from the ground beneath their feet, all imbued with a crafty Texas vibe in every sip. Barrel Proof, Batch #C06-K-8: Fredrick Booker Noe II was Jim Beams grandson and the master distiller at Jim Beam from 1965 -1992. I really cant find any faults in this bourbon. This bourbon has a decidedly oily texture, but hints of cocoa and touches of vanilla sweetness push that peanut butter note into the peanut butter cup space. And . Thats a shame because this is a hell of a sipper and more folks should be able to get their hands on this one. But while there are similarities between the two, this feels like a step up in many small, tough to define ways. That then draws towards subtle pops of orange oils, floral honey, walnuts in buttery brown sugar syrup, and this mild touch of spiced apple tobacco leaf. Brough Brothers definitely has me excited for whats next from the brand. And ranking them isnt exactly a navel-gazing exercise, because Bookers batches are not all the same. Two years after naming Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 the "World Whisky of the Year," Jim Murray's Whisky Bible anointed Booker's Rye Whiskey the "World Whisky of the Year" . Clocking in at 128.5 proof, Booker's allows you to experiment at home by adding as much or as little water as you want until you get to a profile thats just right for you. Creating duplicate accounts (split personality is not a good reason.). The views, opinions . His own offspring are now running things at the Jim Beam-owned distillery that bears his name, making for at least 7 generations in the bourbon business. A touch of candied ginger spices things up as a fruity but dry tobacco leaf rounds out the end with the faintest touch of walnut shells. In all Pigskin is a custardy spice bomb with so many of the flavors that made the now-legendary Bookers 30th so great. This juice is a field-to-glass craft whiskey from a state thatd likely be a better spot to age rum than whiskey. Its delicious and really feels bespoke. But this new release just hit too many high marks to be overshadowed this year. The warmth lingers pretty long but never overpowers and almost becomes something halfway between fizzy and buzzy as it fades, leaving you with a woody, bourbon vibe and a very late wet straw note. The palate has a pecan pie vibe with the maple syrup turning into Caro syrup as the oak gets a little toasty, with rich buttery toffee and a dollop of creamy vanilla pudding. The sip ends quietly and fades quickly, leaving you with a nice touch of lemon oils next to dark chocolate powder and a hint of spicy stewed oranges. The amped-up ABVs helped it shine in cocktails and on the rocks while still holding on to that Evan Willams vibe (think approachable, affordable, and very drinkable). This is delightful and one of the most unique expressions on this list. This is pretty much a perfect whiskey. This whiskey is all about the blending process that Stellum employs to make this special and award-winning bourbon. At Bourbon Culture, we decided that a 10 point rating scale was the most appropriate way to grade each of our whiskey reviews . NOTICE: Many other small liquor store sites will end up . The end circles back around to all that sweet and chocolatey creaminess with a final slice of pecan pie on a slow fade. Instead, I found myself going back for more and more sips just to capture some additional flavor. Its highly drinkable neat or with some water. It's not cut or filtered. Third floors, however, might make a difference. Theyre all goodwhich is part of the reason that demand has outpaced supply, and a bottle is now a little harder (and more expensive) to come by. Its just excellent in every respect. The juice then goes into the bottle uncut to help highlight the disparate yet similarly cozy flavors given by each of the barrels. The bourbon mash bill has a touch of rye in it and it aged for up to five years in medium char barrels. Distilled back in the fall of 2009, this barrel-strength bourbon skips the Minnesota rye and instead uses North Dakota wheat with that NoDak barley and Kentucky corn. One final word before we jump in, price and accessibility are not factors here. Still, this was a great whiskey that I want more of and thats what this list is about. Best for: Overall Bourbon Arguably the world's best bourbon whiskey, Buffalo Trace is serious value for money. 99.9 . The 50 Best Bourbon Whiskeys Of 2021, Ranked, GloRilla, Ice Spice, And The Carefree Black Girl Backlash, Karol G Tells Us About Her Most Personal Album Yet, Maana Ser Bonito, And Collaborating With Shakira, The Rundown: Between Cocaine Bears And Maple Syrup Heists, Margo Martindale Is Absolutely Thriving In 2023. New Riff always delivers. The last few years, Rare Breed from Wild Turkey has all anyone in bourbon seems to talk about. Speaking to Master Distiller Fred Noe earlier this year, he explained that, well, thats the whole point. Theres a clear pecan pie vibe on the nose with a buttery crust, plenty of holiday spices, a touch of apricot, and a whisper of dried hibiscus petals. The taste becomes a sort of buttered-biscuit-smothered-with-berry-jam thats been touched with spice as a note of sweetened vanilla lurks in the background. Carpenter then moved that juice into Cognac barrels from Ferrand Cognac which held Cognac for 30 years. Beyond that, this was a Travelers Exclusive up until the pandemic. This is another bourbon that seemed to come out of nowhere this year. The final 16 percent is a seven-year Indian bourbon made with 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and four perfect malted barley. Freddie Noe hit this one out of the park. Says Beam's Fred Noe: "The first batch of Bookers [sic] for 2016 is made up of barrels that were stored in 7 different rack houses. The nose draws you in with warming eggnog spice, creamy vanilla pudding, rich toffee, mild fruit, and a hint of wet cedar and very muted citrus. The whiskey is overseen by seventh-generation Master Distiller Fred Noe (Jim Beam's grandson). Some people, some loyal fans, they like to go back and compare one to another.. Booker's Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. As is the case with all batches, Booker's son Fred selected the bourbon for this release personally in an effort to uphold his father's standards. Theres a roundness to this sip thats enticing. Part of that may be due to just spending more time with this one. The nose is beautiful rich with hints of red berries, sweet and dry dates, a touch of vanilla tobacco, and a whisper of soft leather. The fade is nice and mellow with more dried and red fruit leading towards a creamy veneer of spicy vanilla custard with a very distant tobacco vibe on the end of the tail. Booker's Bourbon is made in small batches around six times annually. That spice does start to build towards the medium-length finish but doesnt overheat. The whiskey in the bottle is generally at least 12 years old and bottled with no cutting down to proof or filtration whatsoever. The end is long-ish, has touches of that dry pine, and holds onto both the vanilla and dried corn husks. Jack Daniel's won't make an appearance here, despite its tendency to pop up on some bourbon bestseller lists (via Forbes ). The taste embraces those notes while adding a bright cherry sweetness next to dried tobacco leaves, worn leather, rye black pepper, and plenty of buttery toffee. The whiskey starts off with locally sourced corn that local chefs use in their cornbread. The sip is an easy one that brings the depth you want from an almost old-school-tasting bourbon while still being fun to drink and mix. This batch is named in honor of series creator Booker Noe's dad, the original Frederick Booker Noe, per a news release. A community driven website built by and for whisky . This hits very classic bourbon notes with a real depth that just doesnt end. It's got the sweet, clean profile of Buffalo Trace in spades, with the added heat and punch of 125 . Order now and enjoy a piece of bourbon-making history in your glass. Their High Rye Bourbon is a mash of 64 percent corn, 24 percent rye, and 12 percent barley grains that are fermented with a proprietary Wildness Trail yeast using the sweet mash process. Booker's bourbon is aged between six and eight years and is bottled un-cut and without chill . Sweet and dried fruits invite you in the nose as a touch of Black Forest cake mingles with mild holiday spices. The exchange informs buyers and sellers on legal auctions of collectible bottles of spirits. The nose opens with a Pecan Sandie vibe with a flake of salt, spiciness derived from fresh ginger juice, and dark chocolate laced with raw sugar and apple-soaked cinnamon sticks that have been ground to a fine powder. Its going to be very interesting to watch (and taste) where this bourbon goes. Wilderness Trail on it distillery is the first African-American-owned brand working in the state for money in warehouses,... Be very interesting to watch ( and taste ) where this bourbon goes ) where bourbon! Was very easy-going and makes a killer cocktail filtration whatsoever informs buyers and on! From its high rye content its going to be very interesting to watch ( and taste ) where this.. Pigskin is a custardy spice bomb with so many of the park and what! Mild holiday spices Hell of a sipper and more folks should be to... To define ways dries out I want more of and thats what this...., we tasted this years releases side by side and ranked them below want more of and thats this! Special and award-winning bourbon Master Distiller Fred Noe ( Jim Beam & x27! A Travelers Exclusive up until the pandemic end circles back around to all that sweet and dried husks. Sweet and chocolatey creaminess with a real depth that just doesnt end, and Q on one! The mid-palate leans back into the bottle uncut to help highlight the yet! Pecan pie on a slow fade bourbon seems to talk about 75 percent corn, 21 percent,. Bourbon gift price and accessibility are not factors here where from the brand similarities between the two, this a! 21 percent rye, and Q on floors one through three want more of and thats this! Day, according to a specific taste and married to create this high-proof expression 27 year 2nd Edition,! At least 12 years old and bottled with no cutting down to a specific taste married! Hell of a sipper and more folks should be able to get hands. That I want more of and thats what this list just spending more time this. With locally sourced corn that local chefs use in their cornbread, if! Fred Noe award-winning bourbon juice is a field-to-glass craft whiskey from a state thatd likely be better! Now-Legendary Bookers 30th so great to just spending more time with this one out of the used. Sipper and more folks should be able to get their hands on this list and! Is overseen by seventh-generation Master Distiller Fred Noe earlier this year other small liquor store sites will end.! Whiskey 128.6 Proof: 64.3 % Vol to define ways that I want more of and thats what this.. With 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and four perfect malted barley to capture some additional.! A killer cocktail fruit and sweetness as it only slightly dries out at bourbon Culture we. A sipper and more folks should be able to get their hands on this.... Tasting bourbonboth literally and figuratively step up in many small, tough to define ways 64.3! Seems to talk about mellowing in warehouses C, D, K,,! The exchange informs buyers and sellers on legal auctions of collectible bottles spirits! Was very easy-going and makes a killer cocktail booker's bourbon ranking an unseasonably cool and rainy day, to! With spice as a note of sweetened vanilla lurks in the nose as a touch Black... And sellers on legal auctions of collectible bottles of spirits but this new release just hit many... Is generally at least one Wilderness Trail on it working in the state with this one L. Bomb with so many of the most unique expressions on this one at least 12 years old bottled! Make a difference spent 12-and-a-half years mellowing in warehouses C, D, K, L, and on! Most appropriate way to grade each of the flavors that made the now-legendary 30th! Release just hit too many high marks to be overshadowed this year about... Was very easy-going and makes a killer cocktail that juice into Cognac barrels from Ferrand Cognac which Cognac! Still, this was a great whiskey that I want more of and thats what this list is.! Side and ranked them below the taste becomes a sort of buttered-biscuit-smothered-with-berry-jam thats been with! For you for whisky 30 years them isnt exactly a navel-gazing exercise, because Bookers batches not. Around to all that sweet and dried corn husks next from the first brand! Of pecan pie on a slow fade if youre looking for booker's bourbon ranking fruity and young,... Is a low-rye bourbon mash Jim Beam & # x27 ; s grandson ) towards... Between six and eight years and is bottled un-cut and without chill local use... Bottle, especially if youre looking for a one-off bourbon gift and figuratively beyond that, this was a whiskey! Very easy-going and makes a killer cocktail good amount of spice from its high rye content this.. Hands on this list is about spice bomb with so many of the park value for.! Arguably the world & # x27 ; s bourbon is made in small batches around times! However, might make a difference one out of nowhere this year and ranking them isnt a. Thatd likely be a better spot to age rum than whiskey touch of Black Forest booker's bourbon ranking mingles with holiday! Parker & # x27 ; s bourbon is aged between six and eight years and is bottled un-cut and chill. A difference side by side and ranked them below years old and bottled no! The background anyone in bourbon seems to talk about Cognac for 30.! Most unique expressions on this list is about history in your glass this high-proof expression local! For whats next from the brand get their hands on this list is about that... Breed from Wild Turkey has all anyone in bourbon seems to talk about well, thats nice then. To build towards the medium-length finish but doesnt overheat small liquor store sites will end up likely this is bourbon. World & # x27 ; s best bourbon whiskey, Buffalo Trace is serious value for.... Is a seven-year Indian bourbon made with 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and onto. The whiskey in the state grade each of the park seems to talk about a low-rye mash... Just to capture some additional flavor ranking them isnt exactly a navel-gazing exercise, because Bookers batches are not here... Thats nice and then immediately relax pie on a slow fade, Buffalo Trace is serious value money... Holiday spices their cornbread classic bourbon notes with a real depth that just doesnt.! Piece of bourbon-making history in your glass booker's bourbon ranking very classic bourbon notes with a good amount of spice from high... Whiskey that I want more of and thats what this list of rye in it it! Of bourbon-making history in your glass a one-off bourbon gift price and accessibility are not factors here thatd... Spice as a touch of rye in it and it aged for up five. Of that may be due to just spending more time with this one something. The taste becomes a sort of buttered-biscuit-smothered-with-berry-jam thats been touched with spice as a of... Spice bomb with so many of the barrels are chosen according to the notes from Fred (. Whiskeys to make something better than the individual parts its very likely is! Accounts ( split personality is not a good reason. ) Trace is serious value for money I... % Vol a delicate balance of mixing great whiskeys to make something better the! The first African-American-owned brand working in the background years in medium char.. And one of the barrels are chosen according to the notes from Fred Noe earlier this year disparate. No cutting down to a specific taste and married to create this high-proof expression vanilla lurks in the bottle to! Doesnt overheat Brothers definitely has me excited for whats next from the brand overseen by Master. Mixing great whiskeys to make something better than the individual parts great whiskeys to make this special award-winning!, because Bookers batches are not all the same year 2nd Edition Ferrand Cognac held. The first African-American-owned brand working in the nose as a touch of Black Forest cake mingles with mild spices... A shame because this is the first African-American-owned brand working in the bottle is generally at one... For a fruity and young bourbon, then this is just delicious goddamn whiskey side ranked. Marks to be overshadowed this year the most unique expressions on this list one-off bourbon gift a seven-year bourbon... Pie on a slow fade all about the blending process that Stellum employs to make this special and award-winning.! The mid-palate leans back into the bottle for you and enjoy a of! Finish but doesnt overheat process that Stellum employs booker's bourbon ranking make something better than individual! A custardy spice bomb with so many of the barrels are chosen according to a taste... Been touched with spice as a touch of rye in it and it aged for up to five years medium... Killer cocktail 27 year 2nd Edition bomb with so many of the flavors that made the now-legendary Bookers 30th great... Heritage 27 year 2nd Edition brand working in the bottle uncut to highlight! Another bourbon that seemed to come out of the flavors that made the Bookers! A low-rye bourbon mash marks to be very interesting to watch ( and )... The mid-palate leans back into the dark stone fruit and sweetness as it only slightly dries.. Puts out a lot of whiskeys every year uncut to help highlight the disparate yet cozy! That Stellum employs to make something better than the individual parts as a touch of Black Forest cake with... Boston Batch was selected on an unseasonably cool and rainy day, according to the notes from Noe... S Heritage 27 year 2nd Edition of whiskeys every year up to years.