Booker's Bourbon Batch 2016-02 "Annis' Answer"

Nose: A classic bourbon profile, similar to Booker's or Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserves. It leans towards char, oak, and dark brown sugar, with some vanilla present. You'll find plenty of berries and fruit – think blackberries, nearly overripe strawberries, banana, etc. Dusty, well-worn leather notes are reminiscent of an old baseball glove. The ethanol is quite prominent, making the aroma intense and "hot". Dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and campfire smoke are also detected, along with subtle rye undertones. Palate: A substantial presence of oak, char, tannin, almost-burned caramel, and potent vanilla extract. The high proof and oily texture are noticeable, contributing to a lingering and evolving sensation alongside the tannin. It's notably sweet from the corn but trends a bit drier. Dark chocolate, salted roasted nuts, and well-worn leather reappear. Tangy, lactic dairy notes, similar to buttermilk, are present. Black pepper, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, rosemary, and dill can be detected. The heat is comparable to crushed garlic and horseradish. Some fruit notes remain, though subdued. The mouthfeel is medium, with the mid and upper palate being more prominent, though barrel notes help fill the lower end. Finish: A strong hit of ethanol, wintergreen, and tannin in taste and texture. The oily content ensures a long-lasting impression. Green olives with pimento and canned black olives emerge. Lemon oil, rosemary, and thyme notes are present, evoking a baked salmon dish. Charred oak and vanilla take the lead as things settle. Sweetness is there but not dominant. Cocoa powder is noted. The finish concludes with char, smoke, ethanol, and dusty corn sweetness. It's a long finish. Additional thoughts: I visited a new liquor store and requested a bottle of Booker's, unaware it was the second-ever release. This bottle holds special meaning as it showcases early experimentation. It serves as an excellent point of comparison for later editions. This is definitely not for everyone; fans of high-proof Beam bourbons would appreciate it most, as it's less refined and accessible than subsequent releases. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoy this expression. While it doesn't surpass my favorite Booker's of all time (2018-02), it's a worthwhile bottle. I wouldn't go out of my way for it unless you're intent on collecting every release, but if you encounter one and are undecided, go for it. It offers an enjoyable experience. Given the limited nature of Booker's releases, I wouldn't always keep one on hand, but like most others, I'd be pleased to have one in my collection.

As followers of my reviews know, I'm a huge fan of Booker's. My affection for this line began in 2016 with a bottle from this exact batch. Back then, it cost $55, and I could only have it on the rocks. How times have changed. Let's see how much. Quick details: This is the second of six batches from 2016. It's 63.35% ABV, aged for 6 years, 2 months, and 1 day. Nose: Strong caramel and peanut brittle. Vanilla, cola, brown sugar, cocoa, and hazelnut. Cherry appears after the glass sits for 10-15 minutes. Hints of orange peel too. The oak and baking spices are immense. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and allspice. It's a powerful scent, but the alcohol is well masked. A promising start. Palate: More chewy caramel and peanut brittle. Hot fudge, carrot cake, sweet vanilla, and brown sugar. Additional cherry notes; it tastes somewhat artificial, almost like a Shirley Temple. Plenty of chestnut and oak. A touch of orange peel. And, of course, more baking spices: cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Dessert sweetness with heavy spice and prominent oak. High proof and highly intricate. Finish: Black tea and tobacco. Black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Some vanilla and caramel woven in. It lasts a very long time. And it's very hot too--the finish is not for the timid. But if you can handle the heat, it's an amazing way to conclude an unbelievable pour. Another 5-star performance from the Booker's line. I'm at a loss for words. Even with the price increase from $55 to $85 over the years, I believe it was worth it. I opened it a couple of months ago, and while it was good then, it has become truly exceptional with some air. My tolerance for the heat allows me to appreciate this much more than I could in 2016. I believe there are two main Booker's flavor profiles/mouth feels. There are the moist, syrupy bottlings, and then there are the dry, spicy, and woody versions. Annis' Answer definitely falls into the latter category. However, I would argue it's the sweetest of those I've tried, placing it closer to the middle. If you want a more recent comparison for the finish, think of Kentucky Chew from 2018. It's an aromatic flavor explosion with an extremely fiery finish. It delivers everything I love about the Booker's line, with a presentation that is uniquely its own. If you're fortunate enough to find one of these in 2020, I strongly suggest you spend the money and buy it. Phenomenal stuff.

While listening to the Bourbon Pursuit podcast, I heard an interview with a younger member of the Beam family who spoke with a very distinct, almost exaggerated Southern accent. He talked about pouring Booker's "into sausages" and over his BBQ grill. It makes me picture a camo hat and ATVs always nearby. This recording is ingrained in my memory and surfaces every time I reach for this delicious bottle, hearing his casual murmur of "Booker's." This spirit is amazing, but now I'm haunted, thanks to Bourbon Pursuit!

Generally, I'm a significant admirer of Booker's, and most batches are quite good, including this one. Immediately upon nosing, you detect the characteristic Booker's peanut brittle. The alcohol in this batch isn't overwhelming, unlike some others. There's a noticeable tartness and some fresh fruit, which I don't typically pick up on. The palate reveals dark cherries, leather, and tobacco. This is a deeply rich pour. The fruit reappears in the finish, which is dry and oaky. After letting it sit and savoring it longer, this is certainly one of the superior batches I've encountered. Occasionally, a couple of drops of water are beneficial, but this batch remains well-balanced even at 63% ABV. Highly enjoyable.

Just opened this for the LSU/ALA game and it met expectations! The aroma is exactly what one anticipates from a robust bourbon such as Bookers. Sweet and nutty best characterize the scent, with abundant vanilla and brown sugar. The palate is rich with sweet vanilla and nuttiness; the rear of the palate introduces fruitiness and the pepper I favor. The finish is exceptional. There's heat (obviously!) and it persists indefinitely, as a quality bourbon should. Sampled neat in a proper glass, it can't be beaten! 👍 Paid $60. Super save Farmerville, LA. $56

Sampled in a Canadian glencairn glass with a small ice cube. Nose: Caramel, honey-roasted nuts, with a subtle hint of leather and spice. Palate: Initial sweetness, followed by a rich mouthfeel, then nuts and spice. Finish: A long, lingering finish of oak and spice, but without harshness. The finish is particularly pleasing, likely the highlight for me. Remarkably smooth given the proof. It wasn't exceptionally complex, but it concluded on a high note.