Baker's Single Barrel High Rye Bourbon 7 Year (2024 Release)

The color is a golden brown with hints of muscat, not particularly special, except for the very watery meniscus. The aroma is certainly pronounced, featuring sweet rye, a combination of cinnamon and general herbal notes, along with ample natural oak sweetness. The proof feels just right, allowing the rye's spiciness to be enhanced without being overwhelming. The rye is also evident from the first sips, presenting as an oily citrus and fruity mix on the tongue, as well as a rather intense, minty burn that affects the gums. Subsequent sips become quite hot, but the sensation remains in the gum line and quickly subsides on the tongue and in the throat. The flavor continues to be dominated by the rye, but the age is just sufficient to smooth out the harsher edges with a touch of caramel and overall sweetness. The finish is still rather hot, with a slightly artificial sweetener taste that unfortunately lingers a bit too long. While somewhat unmemorable after prolonged drinking, the high rye content in this mash bill certainly appeals to lovers of spicy rye, and it's vastly superior to what I experienced a long time ago. I'm pleased that this single barrel line actually displays barrel information on the label, unlike Knob Creek, which I consider Jim Beam's most popular single barrel product line. In any case, this is a very good value for the price I paid, but not unique enough to justify the suggested retail price. This is versatile and eases my apprehension about trying the classic Baker's again, especially since the particular barrel used back then might have just been a poor example.

Color: Medium copper-Light Amber Nose: Unusual scent! I'm not getting the typical maple and leather found in most bourbons. This is more... grainy? I'll attribute this to the increased rye content. Dill? Ah, now I recognize it – spearmint, or menthol... or eucalyptus. Strange, I know. I've never encountered that aroma from any previous bottle. Let's take a first sip... Palate: (consumed with an ice cube) The higher rye percentage truly is the highlight here. If I were blindfolded and took a sip, I'd ask, "Ok, what Rye is this?". But as the ice melts, the "bourbon" characteristics start to emerge. I'm getting a nice "time-released" chest warmth with subsequent sips. A faint hint of cherry appears next. However, this profile is primarily spice-focused. The more I drink... and the more the ice opens it up... the more notes I detect. My last sip delivered a strong burst of "cedar" – like lemon varnish on cedar planks. This one is very intriguing, very intriguing indeed. Finish: I'd call this a long finish. The spiciness and the herbal/menthol notes dominate here. Wow. I truly appreciate when a bourbon surprises me and leads me down an unexpected path. This isn't the smoky, leathery, sweet, cinnamon-forward bourbon I usually prefer. But I must say, this is unique. I don't think I can compare it to any other bourbon I've tried (and I've tried many by now). I'll reiterate my earlier point – this is a very "Rye-like" bourbon. I wish I had a bottle of Baker's 107 for comparison. I consider that one of my Top-10 bourbons. I might have to get one soon for a side-by-side tasting. Final thoughts... this is very good. I'm not yet certain if it warrants a "back-up" bottle. However, given that this is a "Limited Release," I think you should definitely try it, especially if you're a fan of Baker's like I am. I'm rating this a solid 4.0 stars.

The aroma presents spruce, apple, subtle vanilla, cedar, allspice, and a hint of creme brûlée. Very classic. Virtually no ethanol presence. The palate is rich with barrel char and oak tannins. Additional notes include rye spice, black peppercorn, flan, peanut, cinnamon candy, and mint. There's hardly any mid-palate presence; it rushes directly to the finish. Considering it's over 7 years old, there's a heat here that I wouldn't expect given the proof. Everything feels a bit unharmonious. "Minty oak" is the dominant flavor, which I'm not particularly fond of. A long finish brings more barrel char, oak, cinnamon, mint, with a touch of ginger. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, but it has a grainy sharpness that tingles the sides of the tongue much like hot sauce. Ugh. I anticipated enjoying this more than I did, but it's ultimately disappointing, especially for a limited edition and given my usual enjoyment of Bakers. At $74.99, this is a definite pass for me. It's not terrible, but it's far from outstanding.

Nose: Faint syrup, a vanilla sweetness, and a hint of cinnamon and spice. Taste: Sharp oak and rye spice, pine, and mint. Less sweet than the nose suggests. Finish: A lingering finish with hot rye spice, followed by a mellow sweetness and persistent tannins.

The mouthfeel is somewhat light. Nice subdued sweetness on the palate, packed with flavor and baking spices. A pleasing finish for a 107 proof spirit.

Aroma: Caramel, vanilla, light cinnamon. Taste: Woody and high rye notes transition to oak with some earthy undertones. Finish: A medium finish with notes of oak and leather.