Booker's Bourbon Batch 2015-06 "Noe Secret"

Rating: 16/23 Aroma: Stale corn and sawdust with a strong mineral character from limestone. The corn's sweetness gradually intensifies, developing into a cornbread-like profile. A thin overlay of moderately tannic wood is present in the background. It's an acceptable aroma, but I wouldn't classify it as good. I appreciate the mustiness combined with the sawdust and cornbread notes, but the aroma is so light and uncomplicated that it doesn't fully capture my interest. Palate: Significantly sweeter than the aroma suggested, featuring cornbread, vanilla, caramel, and juicy fruit notes in the tangerine and cherry spectrum before transitioning to more of an orange peel character. Strong spice notes are prominent throughout, with ginger, pepper, and clove leading the way, followed by cinnamon. There's a discernible wood presence, though it's not overly dominant. It possesses moderate tannins and no leathery qualities. The characteristic Beam lightness, minerality, and bitterness are evident, along with its typical licorice flavor. Additionally, some mint is present, and hints of root beer occasionally appear. This is quite enjoyable and surpasses the aroma's potential. It's not mind-blowing by any means, but I am finding considerable pleasure in it. Finish: This is adequate, but unremarkable. It heavily favors bitterness and minerality, with wood, licorice, ginger, and clove being the primary elements. While not unpleasant flavors, they are distinctly the lingering notes. A subtle hint of vanilla might be present. The finish is quite forgettable. - Conclusion - I like this whiskey, but it doesn't rank among my favorite Booker's releases. It offers a pleasing fruity sweetness for a period, but this is eventually overshadowed by other flavors. It ends up tasting very similar to proofed-up Jim Beam Original (rated 9/23), which is acceptable, but I don't find the standard Jim Beam to be a particularly inspiring bourbon. However, the lower proof is a significant factor limiting the standard Jim Beam. Of the three Booker's expressions I am currently evaluating, this one leaves me the least impressed. It represents a clear downgrade from 2016-05 Off Your Rocker and 2017-01 Tommy's Batch, both of which are distinct but of comparable quality. Russell's Reserve 10 (rated 15-16/23) is in a similar category to this. I would lean towards favoring this one, so I'm considering it a 16. Belle Meade Cask Strength Reserve (rated 18-19/23) is considerably superior to this, although the difference isn't overwhelmingly vast. This comparison reinforces my assessment of this whiskey as a 16. My bottle of Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered (rated 18/23) is slightly better than this, but they are surprisingly close on a somewhat fatigued palate. I believe this might warrant a 17, but that's the absolute maximum. The inherent Beam lightness and bitterness are difficult to overlook, especially with the added tannins. Revisiting for a few final sips with a very fresh palate, this exhibits a pleasant vanilla sweetness. Compared to my bottle of Balcones True Blue Cask Strength (rated 19/23), this lacks the same complexity and rich vanilla flavor. It also doesn't possess that maple-corn sweetness. The disparity is significant. Russell's Reserve 10 remains competitive with this expression. I can see this potentially reaching a 17, but currently, I still rate it as a 16. Thank you to the individual who shared this bottle!

Fittingly, Noe Secret should be kept under wraps. My previous experiences with Booker's were not particularly enjoyable. It was rough, unrefined, and felt like someone aggressively crushing cans near the pool. Entertaining at a party, perhaps, but not what makes the party great. This particular release has made me reconsider Booker's. Honestly, this has an incredibly smooth entry, excellent flavor, and precise sweetness. You'll find the usual suspects: rich caramel, buttery toffee, oak, and some intense spice. On the palate, this one starts rather gently and goes down easily. What follows might amuse you. It's like a fiery coal in your chest, amusing and unexpected, yet it retains a sense of craftsmanship and composure. I couldn't help but smile and thoroughly appreciate the experience. While this isn't for everyone, if you desire an intense bourbon journey, this is the one for you. (FWF Share #45)

I detect a sweet melon scent on the nose, again much less harsh than I would expect for the ABV. There's honey and lemon in the body, and I get a leathery, charred-oak finish. I'm not sure how they achieve this, but I experience an oily body and a dry finish. I'm a big admirer of the mouthfeel here!

Served on ice: A subtle sweet oak aroma. The flavor is sweet corn and oak with hints of caramel and black pepper. The finish is dominated by oak, leaving a lingering oak flavor with touches of sweetness and pepper. Purchased at BJ's in Mesquite, TX for $12.95 for a 2oz pour. Recommended for those who prefer an oak-forward bourbon.

Wow, very intense from the high proof. Requires some water to truly reveal the flavor and aroma. Light caramel flavor with toasted cereal. The aroma has a lot of char with a sweet lingering scent.

Initially underwhelmed, but it truly improved after being open a few days. This is among the finest bourbons I've ever experienced, reminiscent of a previous bottling.