Booker's Bourbon Batch 2015-05 "Maw Maw's Batch"

Taste: 2 oz. Neat in a glen cairn glass, then with three drops. Appearance: Dark amber with thicker, slower-moving legs. Thanks to a friend for sending the sample. Nose: This hits you hard! It's strong and bold, initially dominated by ethanol, then loads of oak, brown sugar, and caramel. A few drops of water reveal fruitier notes, like apple pie and streusel. Palate: When neat, the flavors are very concentrated. It's very oaky, but a few drops of water unlock flavors of baked apple brown betty, red Michigan apple peel, and vanilla, all coated in a brown sugar glaze. Adding water transforms this from just a strong, high-proof, oaky bourbon into something that reminds you of apple pies cooling on a fall day with the windows open! A bourbon that can bring back a pleasant memory is a worthwhile bourbon in my opinion. Finish: Warming and long. It makes you blush a bit as the warmth travels upwards. My only criticism is that the finish has a slightly woody, workshop-like aftertaste. Some might enjoy that send-off; it felt a bit like getting splinters. Overall: I must admit I wasn't a big fan when drinking it neat. It was just too strong, hot, and full of oak, but you could tell the sweeter elements were present; you just had to fine-tune it. With 2 drops of water, this is a completely different bourbon. It delivers everything you want in a barrel-proof bourbon, but only if you put in the effort. I find this to be true with most Booker's, and I enjoy that challenge! If you just open it and pour a glass, you're not experiencing what Booker's is truly about – making your own choices and discovering its full potential!

Sitting at the bar, anticipating the game after a good meal. Banana aromas are the first thing noticed, overpowering everything initially. As time passes, they diminish, allowing other bourbon characteristics to emerge: corn sweetness, vanilla, oak, and cinnamon. This initial powerful pour (neat) instantly numbs the tongue and dulls the senses. The second experience, with better preparation, allows for the discernment of brown sugar sweetness. At this stage, adding water is beneficial. Gradually add ice and allow it to open up. This powerful spirit needs to be tempered. As it calms, the brown sugar sweetness and oaky dryness interact, starting sweet then becoming dry. The oak takes over, and as it begins the finish, the palate is left with an oaky dryness and Red Hot cinnamon spiciness. A pleasant experience and an enjoyable journey. Regarding the Booker batches I've tried, they are quite similar. A more discerning palate might detect differences. However, generally, if you enjoy bourbon, you can't go wrong with Booker's.

The name "maw maw's" makes me imagine an elderly Appalachian woman who enjoys her bourbon strong. It doesn't disappoint. I do think it should be named "paw paw's" though. It's rare to find that kind of fruitiness these days, but that's what it smells like: overripe bananas, sweet and slightly off. The spirit has a beautiful cedar color in the glass. The first sip is dominated by hot, burning caramel. It then settles into a long cinnamon sting. The finish is clean oak, and my tongue feels spicy and dry.

The most impressive aspect of this bourbon is its smoothness, especially considering its proof. In a blind tasting, I'd never guess it exceeds 120 proof. The aroma does offer a warning: quite astringent with a hint of caramel. The body presents faint vanilla but is mostly caramel. The finish includes aged wood notes and pepper. I admire the accomplishment here and would select this if I desired a quick effect without significant burn.

Booker's usually wins me over, and this particular batch did too. Still, it's pretty fiery and zesty. That's saying something, considering Booker's is typically a bold, barrel-proof bourbon. Not one of my top batches, but it was enjoyable to sample a new one.

The aroma is delightful. Ripe banana followed by caramel, cinnamon, and oak. The 68% ABV is challenging to manage, and even when tamed, the lingering cinnamon continues the burn. Definitely a slow sipper.