Booker's Bourbon Batch 2016-06 "Noe Hard Times"

This absolutely benefits from a couple drops of water. The smell is mellowed and more sweetness comes out. {12-25: Actually, the water brings out much more vanilla. Some people may get this without water, but my nose needed the water.} I think there was more smoke before the water and none detected after. The mouth feel is rich or oily. I taste a sweetness of some sort. {12-25: maybe cherry} I do not have the ability to really distinguish the aromas and flavors but I really like this bourbon and it does not taste so high proof. It does not burn at all. The finish is pleasant and lingers for a few minutes.

At a New Years gathering and someone said there was Booker's. I said, “Ooooh, what kind?” It’s this guy. The smell starts out sour and oaky. As it rises from the glass it becomes a drying aroma. It gives the impression of opening up an antique wooden chest. On the taste, there are herbs and spices up front, like basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. There is a juicy berry sweetness mid-palate, and lots of complexity at the back. Mouthwatering and incredibly astringent, this bourbon finishes burning all the way down, numbing and soothing. What I needed all 2017 but only got at its end. (Partially kidding.)

This is quite good! I had it with a friend on a pleasant Friday afternoon after a meeting. It smells wonderful. When you open the bottle, you get a lovely warm, sweet caramel scent. The taste matches the aroma. It's definitely strong, but not excessively so. I would certainly share this with others. This is one of my preferred Booker's bottlings.

The aroma is of sweet, smoky vanilla and caramel. It has a full, oily body and a lengthy finish with notes of leather and spice. This was observed with only about three drops of filtered water added to a 2oz. pour. I find it becomes more intriguing if allowed to rest between sips. I plan to sample my other two bottles and then compare all three.

High proof and very intricate. The alcohol content and heat diminish some of the flavor nuances. It's a distinctive departure from the usual – unique taste and sensation, but not justifying the $60 price tag.

William Oliver's Fort Collins Homecoming 2018 So sweet and pleasantly spicy, a truly delightful sip. It has notes of vanilla and honey, followed by a lasting rye finish. A very well-rounded spirit, especially with a tiny bit of water added.