Booker's Bourbon Batch 2016-05 "Off Your Rocker"

This year, I'm committing to sampling a new whiskey daily throughout December for the holidays. #lifegoals December 16th My children have a favorite movie featuring a Lego Brainiac attempting to shrink planet Earth to complete his organized collection of celestial bodies. Ultimately, the Lego Justice League manages to avert disaster by redirecting his compulsive collecting tendencies towards accumulating coins. But what happens when he finishes his collection? Lego Batman rightly points out the impossibility, as new coins are minted annually. Essentially, Lego Batman devised a method to eternally engage Lego Brainiac in a compulsive collecting activity, which might have initially seemed like a brilliant plan to Lego Brainiac, but over time, his efforts would inevitably feel futile, and his ever-expanding hoard would offer no genuine satisfaction. Anyway, tonight I'm opening Booker’s 2016-05, “Off Your Rocker.” Clocking in at 64.85%! The aroma is pleasant but unremarkable. It features caramel and is quite astringent (which is logical). I also detect lemon, in its sour/bitter form. After sipping for some time, I return and can perceive a nutty scent as well. Body: Wow, that's potent. It's been a while since I had a Booker's, and one forgets. I'm tasting brown sugar and abundant milk chocolate. Very sweet, very delicious. I'm quite fond of this. On the finish, I get sugared pecans. This is one of the most delightful finishes I recall. The associated tingling on the tongue is appropriate, and the duration is relatively brief overall. With ice: This significantly moderates the intensity. As is typical, you sacrifice some complexity for approachability. This particular one fares better than most, however, and I wouldn't hesitate to switch between drinking it neat and on the rocks. This is a contender for my favorite Booker's to date. I've only sampled about 5, but I have a feeling that number will increase considerably in the near future. Lego Brainiac has conceded defeat. 'Tis the season. I'm uncertain if I actually have 15 more new whiskeys lined up, so if you're reading this and there's something readily available you'd like me to experience, whether enjoyable or otherwise, please share it in the comments.

Evaluation: 20/23 Nose: Way less potent than anticipated. Abundant minerality and peppermint are present alongside sharp tannins. Faint touches of cornbread and vanilla are noticeable, but almost imperceptible. This aroma is sadly quite empty, dominated by mostly unpleasant scents. Palate: Significantly better than the initial aroma. It doesn't quite deliver the robust intensity often found in Booker's, but a sweetness of vanilla and cornbread, with a slight buttery quality, persists throughout. Peppermint emerges, and a persistent spicy kick is evident. It strongly evokes mint juleps, which is quite agreeable. There's almost a yeasty note here too. A larger sip reveals more of a white bread sweetness, with herbaceousness and spices. It's pleasant, but lacks some of the elements I enjoyed in the smaller sips. Hints of licorice are also detected, a common characteristic of Beam that's neither positive nor negative in this context. Finish: Considerably drier than the palate, with those prominent, astringent tannins finally making an appearance. Some lingering vanilla and butter are present, along with a faint cornbread sweetness. Definitely licorice and mint. Overall, it's a bit unconventional, but not unpleasant. - Verdict - I suspect the title "Off Your Rocker" makes sense. Numerous unusual flavors interact from various directions, and there are many questionable moments, yet it somehow harmonizes and is quite enjoyable. Perhaps the excellent palate is what rescues it from a somewhat troubled finish and a completely chaotic nose. This clearly surpasses Belle Meade Cask Strength Reserve (18-19/23) and my bottle of Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered (18/23). I'm leaning towards a 20. A 21 might be arguable, but I doubt it. A 19 seems more probable than a 21, but neither is entirely out of the question. Revisiting this, I compared it to my bottle of Balcones True Blue Cask Strength (19/23), and this one was superior. I'm settling on a firm 20. Many thanks to a friend for sharing this pour!

As a devoted admirer of this bourbon, I find the Small Batch Series to be outstanding, and this particular bottling is among the finest I've had. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars. Nose: Smoky Oak, Vanilla, Butterscotch, Mint, Cherry Cola, Coconut, Herbal undertones. Palate: Oak, Butterscotch, Mint, Vanilla, Dark Fruit, Roasted Nuts, Cinnamon, Tobacco. Finish: Oak, Vanilla, Mint, Cinnamon. This expression offers a beautiful aroma that grows richer and more complex with time in the glass. Oak is prominent from the start, mingled with butterscotch, mint, cherry cola, and a subtle herbal hint. After about 25-30 minutes, the oak's smokiness intensifies, harmonizing well with the mint, while the coconut note fades entirely. On the palate, there's significant oak (mildly smoky) alongside butterscotch and roasted nuts, followed by a wave of heat with mint and cinnamon flavors, and a slight herbal touch. Vanilla, dark fruit, and tobacco emerge as the heat subsides. The finish is lengthy and warm, featuring more smoky oak, vanilla, mint, and cinnamon. While enjoyable neat, adding a little water truly enhances this bourbon's full potential.

Oak on the nose with hints of vanilla and caramel. The alcohol content is noticeable with a firm, friendly grip. The taste presents rich, full caramel, apple, and well-balanced oak that persists through the finish. This is fantastic! I enjoy it more than the "Sip Awhile" expression, which is also delicious. This one definitely has less black pepper flavor. Booker's is consistently dependable. I've only sampled two so far, but I anticipate trying more in the future. 4.98 ⭐️ / Saratoga Wine / $70

This is a review from memory, as my bottle is long gone. This was one of the most, if not THE most, delicious and satisfying bourbons I've ever tasted. It greatly impressed me at the time, and I've been searching for something equally good ever since. I recall it being rich, smooth, moderately sweet and spicy, exceptionally well-balanced, and wonderfully good. #DAD

Nose: Sweet vanilla and brown sugar. A pop of baking spices with some bread notes. Palate: Oily with a sweet pop of vanilla. Transitions to an awesome cocoa flavor before moving to more of a black pepper spice before the finish. Finish: Peppery and sweet. Long-lasting. Lingering peanut flavor, which is to be expected from Beam.