Booker's Bourbon Batch 2017-04 Sip Awhile

The aroma is vanilla, simple syrup, sour cherries, and rye. The taste mirrors this with vanilla and sour cherries, offering a thoroughly satisfying mid-palate. The finish brings spice, pepper, and the alcohol content. Despite comparable alcohol levels, this Booker's presents considerably less heat than the Stagg Jr. Batch 13. There's a slight dryness, which is acceptable, but it's still more subdued compared to the Stagg Jr. or even the Russell Reserve Single Barrel. Adding a small amount of water enhances the sweet bourbon characteristics and introduces subtle notes of licorice, mint, and cherry cola to the finish. A second addition of water allows the flavors to meld into something remarkable. It's unfortunate that it's spring, as this is the most intensely spiced bourbon I've encountered, and it likely would have been even better during the colder months. Batch Details: 4% from the 6th Floor of Warehouse F, 4% from the 7th Floor of Warehouse F, 8% from the 4th Floor of Warehouse E, 39% from the 5th Floor of Warehouse E, and 45% from the 7th Floor of Warehouse H. My Rating Scale: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."

I have a weakness for both high-proof spirits and peanut flavors. Despite this, I'd never tried Booker's before, as I'm usually hesitant to spend in its price category, feeling there are diminishing returns on investment. Seeing Booker's at a bar during a work trip presented a good opportunity to assess its value for the cost. Age: 6 years, 8 months. Mashbill: Jim Beam Standard (76% corn, 12% rye, and 10% malted barley) ABV: 64.05% Consumed: Neat in a tumbler during dinner Nose: Abundant peanuts. Taste: Very dense and rich (almost syrupy), featuring more of that sweet, distinctive Beam peanut character, alongside brown sugar and baking spices. Finish: Extended. Despite the high proof, it's surprisingly smooth, offering a gentle sensation rather than the harsh impact of something like Stagg Jr. Conclusion: Oh wow, this is another excellent one, especially if you appreciate peanut notes and aromas in your whiskey. It strongly reminds me of the store-selected Knob Creek Single Barrel I acquired. I'd need to compare them directly to decide which I prefer, so I'll assign it the same score. Some say Booker's has declined, but I disagree. I need to start seeking out other Booker's releases. 94/100

Consumed neat. Aged for approximately two years (time passes quickly). This is a Booker's release. Following the Teresa's Batch, my confidence in Booker's was somewhat shaken. While Country Ham was excellent, it wasn't enough for me to continue collecting batches as I once did. However, I decided to revisit this release to determine if my appreciation for older batches was justified or if they were indeed superior to recent ones. The aroma is quite subtle. Creamy vanilla frosting. Just a trace of the characteristic Beam nuttiness. Some very pleasant cherry notes. Toasted caramel. A classic bourbon profile, but nothing particularly groundbreaking. It has a thick, syrupy consistency. Maple and vanilla sweetness dominate the initial taste. However, it delivers a wealth of flavor. Cherry, peanuts, chocolate, and caramel emerge in distinct waves. The maple and honey flavors are prominent and consistent throughout. It's a dense spirit with rich flavors. The cherry notes in the legs and aftertaste are superb and linger. It's remarkable. I find myself hesitant with Booker's now due to its inconsistency and inflated prices, but it's reassuring to know that my initial fondness was warranted. This ranks among my top 5 favorite Booker's batches ever.

One expectation I have for Booker's releases is that they deliver their flavors powerfully, regardless of the specific profile. The nose is somewhat muted, which feels almost disrespectful, especially when sampled in a Glencairn. The initial taste creates a concentrated sensation on the tongue, even when swished, and then it explodes outward without restraint. I specifically use the term "flavor" because it's difficult to discern individual notes before this outburst. It's smooth, perhaps even slightly citrusy. However, this is largely overshadowed by the intense heat and spice that fills the mouth, making it difficult to manage. While some notes resemble rye, much of it tastes like consuming a large spoonful of all the spices found in pumpkin pie. I suspect the finish of this spirit, and even my breath afterward, could melt fresh snow. This quality makes it an excellent choice for sipping on a cold winter night.

Nose: abundant cherry, black tea, cinnamon, pipe tobacco, possibly rye? Taste: intense heat, the black tea and pipe tobacco persist, not very sweet, cherry appeared on later sips – perhaps building from earlier tastes on the finish. Finish: waxy, cherry, perhaps peanut, a cool minty sensation eventually. After reading comments: truly unexpected not to find cherry notes – only one comment mentioned it, I did not detect the vanilla that most people cited, even after adding some water, my black tea observation was quite specific and not mentioned by others, but the remainder of my findings were.

This bottle secured the top spot in my inaugural blind tasting event. It finished first out of 15, surprisingly surpassing several of my other favorites. It truly possesses a delightful chewy butterscotch flavor. Original tasting notes: "Black pepper, very potent nose. Slightly sweet as the intensity subsides, very subtle butterscotch. Taste-wise, nutmeg, hazelnut - distinctly nutty but in a positive way. Warm finish, slightly woody. Butterscotchy, chewy, and very flavorful. Very subtle spice just before the finish as well. A very well-balanced bourbon - 90"