Booker's Bourbon Batch 2016-03 "Toogie's Invitation"

APPEARANCE: Resembles Rich Maple Syrup. Viscous and clingy in the glass, forming small, slow-moving legs. NOSE: Sweet with notes of Burnt Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Peanut Brittle, and Kellogg's Corn Pops Cereal. It smells incredibly sticky, with hints of Orange Peel and Oak appearing later, joined by Cinnamon. Surprisingly little heat on the nose despite the high proof. NEAT: Wow! Incredibly potent and delicious. Orange Peel is prominent, followed by Vanilla and Honey. The characteristic Beam Peanut flavor is present but sweeter. A slightly medicinal Cherry note is also detected. The Oak feels a bit astringent. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering taste of Burnt Peanut Brittle. The high proof begins to numb the tongue, so a small addition of spring water is beneficial. SPLASH: A little water intensifies the Orange flavor, adding Cinnamon and Black Pepper. More water removes the astringency, bringing forth Brown Sugar and Sticky Caramel. It transforms into a liquid version of an old-school McDonald's Caramel Sundae with Peanuts. VERDICT: While not a huge fan of Beam generally, I regret not trying Booker's sooner. This was an excellent purchase made just before a price increase. If you can find it, look for this bottle. It's among the best bourbons I've ever experienced. After being home for an extended period, I opened this from the back of the cabinet. I might review another soon, as Elmer T Lee and Forged Oak have a high bar to clear.

(#2) A fellow whiskey enthusiast recently shared their favorite whiskeys of 2020, and I found the concept so compelling that I've decided to adopt it. The criteria for inclusion wasn't novelty, but rather that the whiskey was new to my experience in 2020. Consequently, my list will feature a blend of familiar favorites and recent releases. I quickly narrowed down my initial selection of 14 possibilities to 7, but refining it from 7 to the final 5 proved more challenging. I'll also be presenting honorable mentions after revealing my top choice. I'll refrain from providing a complete re-evaluation of each, offering instead a general impression. If you're keen to read the full review, a brief scroll through my tasting history should reveal them. So, without further delay, I present my second-ranked whiskey of 2020... Apologies for the slight delay. Returning to my Top 5, here is my second-ranked whiskey of 2020. As previously noted in my review of another bottling, I was surprised to have two (or three, if you consider another) from the same producer on my list. This particular bottle was acquired online from a retailer for approximately $40, just before a price increase was announced. Upon opening it in March, I immediately regretted not buying more. I characterized this one as "Intense. Thick, Adherent, Wonderful Intensity." It presented more citrus notes than I typically expect from this producer. With a small addition of water, it transformed into something akin to an old-fashioned fast-food dessert with crushed nuts. While I'm uncertain of its standing among the various offerings from this brand, it ranks among the finest whiskeys I've ever had the pleasure of tasting.

Star anise and the scent of melted butter on the nose right away. Beyond those and more typical bourbon aromas, it pleasantly smells like a rotting, moss-covered log, making six years feel like sixty. More anise and licorice on the palate, with toasted cashews and caramel corn. The finish stops time internally, but on your lips, this bourbon is so alcoholic it evaporates in three seconds.

Nose- loads of vanilla and caramel Taste- more complex than I am accustomed to. Numerous vanilla, oak, and nut notes. Smoky. The 129 proof delivers a notable burn. Finish- the taste persists and the burn is easily drinkable. It has been aged more than 6 years and it shows. One of the finest bourbons I have ever encountered. Good smoke and spice with excellent flavor. Water diminishes the flavor but not the burn. Better than another drink.

The least desirable of the entire collection. It doesn't even improve when mixed. Apologies, but I'm not skilled with tasting notes, however, when you are a fan of Booker's and have sampled all the others, this is nearly rancid.

The aroma offers notes of caramel, cinnamon, and bread. A palate of baking spices, vanilla, and toffee, along with a robust warmth, leads to a toasted vanilla and slightly sweet finish. It's not the best batch, but it's good.