Booker's 25th Anniversary Bourbon

From the Drammers Club. Absolutely amazing, it competes with Pappy Van Winkle's 15 and older, Wild Turkey's gold foil 12-year, and the BTAC collection. Smell: Chocolate, maple syrup, caramel, toffee, cherries, raisins, oranges, peaches, pineapples, sultanas, apricots, cookie dough, peanuts, pecans, key lime pie, brown sugar, lemons, butter frosting, bubble gum Taste: Caramel, red apples, milk and dark chocolate, cloves, cinnamon, rye bread, dill, baking spices, cherries, raisins, oak, pepper, sourdough, green apples, oranges Aftertaste: Dark chocolate, red apples, raisins, toffee, cloves, cinnamon, maple syrup, oranges, caramel, cherries, sultanas, mangoes, pineapples

Holy hell, what a pour. I can't decide if this or GTS holds the top spot for me... remember that incredible aroma from the Booker’s packaging? The 25th smells just like that, bursting with vanilla, cherry soda, and a whisper of marshmallow. The taste matches – it’s got spice, oak, cherry soda, and marshmallow. It’s like Booker’s but minus the heavy corn, bringing in the finest traits of GTS and WLW. The finish is mellow with a lingering taste of oaky vanilla. Fantastic work.

An intense, extra-aged Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Jim Beam Distillery in Kentucky, aged for 10 years. Fred Noe stated, “These barrels were laid down in January 2003. Dad passed in February 2004.” It presents a balanced beginning with notes of burnt caramel and spice. Its intense maturation adds oak tannins, mint, and dark chocolate, leading to a lengthy, bitter conclusion featuring notes of sugar, vanilla, and leather. Bottled between August/December 2018 and January/July 2019/2022.

N - Required significant effort to detect aromas; dark chocolate and caramel, rich candied notes with a lingering spice. P - Begins sweet and floral, concluding with an amazing chocolate finish. Truly distinctive. F - Chocolate! Exceptionally smooth, with a juicy finish. Floral, sweet, and chocolatey sensations. As I've noted in other rare Booker's reviews – seize the opportunity if it arises.

Marketed as Booker's Bourbon 130.8 Proof, Batch C07-B-7, 750ML, it shares a profile similar to the 25th Anniversary. Acquired from Michael's Town & Country in February 2015 for $60. Here's a relevant article: http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2014/05/in-which-i-help-pick-your-next-bottle.html

Superb bourbon. The aroma is rich with undertones of dried fruit, nearly a bit sweet. The flavor is classic Booker's but elevated... Smoother, with greater complexity, subtle dried fruit and molasses. I suspect this is the intended taste of bourbon by divine decree.