Booker's Bourbon Batch 2017-03 "Front Porch Batch"

As is typical for Booker's, the color is a pleasing medium amber. Right from the bottle, the nose is slightly astringent. After resting for a minute, notes of oak and toffee emerge. There might also be hints of bitter orange and leather. The palate is rich and warm. It's incredibly smooth at the start, with ample mid-palate presence and a bit of burn on the way down. Toffee, butterscotch, and tobacco are dominant, balanced by a delicious dose of spice. Another sip reveals a very apparent toasted oak, not overpowering at all, seeming to harmonize with the other flavors. The finish is long and sweet, evoking flavors of caramel and apple pie. The warmth lingers pleasantly as a mild aftertaste following the third sip. This is a whiskey that compels you to drink more and discover its other flavors. Amidst the surge of craft distilleries, overpriced allocated bottles, and other similar bourbons appearing on the market for $70-80, this remains a true standout (and thankfully, still widely available). Rich, rich, rich. I adore this whiskey. ——— Revisit - once the initial sharpness dissipates, the nose is spicy and rich. The palate is rich, with buttery candied pecans and cinnamon and clove emanating from the nose, leading to a long toffee finish. It's reminiscent of a piping hot, nutty bread pudding for dessert. Still fantastic, with half the bottle remaining and aged 1-2 years. ——— Revisit - halfway gone, still a brown sugar and pepper powerhouse, still hot but remarkably creamy in texture. Distinctly Beam. Still hints of bitter orange zest and clove. Beneath the predominantly warm, sweet finish lies a touch of earthiness. Still holding up well, approaching the 3-year mark.

Feeling fortunate that after discussing our shared love for Bourbon with a colleague, they mentioned having an unopened bottle of Front Porch Batch. We brought it to our meeting to share. It exhibits all the classic characteristics of Booker's. The aroma offers brown sugar and maple, with a hint of vanilla. The flavor highlights vanilla more prominently, with toasted grain upfront, followed by sweetness, a touch of char, and dark brown sugar. The finish has good spice. While not among the best batches, it's very enjoyable. My quest to try as many Booker's batches as possible continues.

Finished the last glass. It's very oxidized with muted flavors. Not much there except a comforting scent of old, damp oak on the nose. The palate has oak and honey. Fantastic, and very smooth considering it's over 64% ABV. If I encountered this bottle again at a bar or out and about, I'd definitely buy it!

I haven't seen this available in shops. I had it while waiting for a table at McCormick and Schmicks in Kansas City one evening. Perhaps the most aromatic Booker's I've encountered. Pleasant vanilla and spice flavor, smooth but short finish. Very good.

Strong ethanol without water, but adding water only detracts from the taste without revealing much flavor. Smell: heavy ethanol and sweet Taste: clean wood with ethanol, sweet fruits Finish: spice, lingers on the gums

The aroma is of sweet corn, some caramel and toffee, along with aged leather that is warm but not scorched. Vanilla, a hint of fruit, and some spice come through on the tongue. The finish is satisfyingly warm and lingers agreeably.