Booker's Bourbon Batch 2018-02 Backyard BBQ

Rating: 17/23 Nose: Mineral, aged wood, subtle vanilla, a touch of citrus. Some light, bright spices present. Ginger, clove, cinnamon, black pepper. Perhaps black pepper precedes the cinnamon. Eventually, a faint Jim Beam peanut aroma emerges. Palate: Quite full-bodied, though not intensely so. Surprisingly rich given the very mineral nose. It leans bitter with noticeable licorice. A distinct minerality is present, but it's a pleasant, rich minerality mingled with sweet water. It creates a surprisingly good flavor. Some nice Beam peanut notes, a hint of peanut shell. Spices are mainly ginger, black pepper, and clove. There's also tart cherry combined with bitter herbs. It's slightly cloying, but not excessively so. The alcohol is quite noticeable, though less so than in another bottle. This one has more complexity. Despite its somewhat light character, the flavors generally taste good. The significant alcohol presence is a drawback. Finish: Minerals with pure water, licorice, and little else. It's a disappointingly brief finish, although not unpleasant. - Conclusion - Another expression is certainly superior, but not by a wide margin. A rating of 17 seems appropriate. An 18 is arguable, and a 16 is possible, though less likely. This expression doesn't offer a significant advantage over another bottled-in-bond offering, leading me to reconsider the 17 rating. A 16 is now a consideration. I'm leaning towards the lower end of 17. I'll stick with that. The superiority of the other expression is becoming clearer, as it possesses richer fruit flavors. I also favor another expression. Both have good flavor, complexity, and alcohol presence (and heat), but I would choose the other over this one. They are quite similar, though. The other expression is much richer. My bottle of that expression might have oxidized, pushing its rating higher. On a final taste, this isn't as good as the other, but it's slightly better than the Dickel, which scores a high 16. It's a 17. Thank you for sharing this!

I discovered this bottle at a shop a bit off my usual route. From my understanding, this batch of Booker's seems to have a distinct profile compared to others. I'm eager to taste it. The aroma is rich and sweet, featuring dried apricots, pear nectar, thick caramel, aged wood (reminiscent of wood shavings), pleasant barrel char, and crème brûlée. A very inviting scent, with noticeable barrel char and wood, which I typically detect more on the palate. The taste is semi-sweet with a distinct warmth on the tip and front of the tongue. It has a medium-bodied, oily texture that is only slightly drying, which is pleasant given the alcohol content. Flavors include vanilla, lightly toasted nuts, custard, charred wood, and some earthy rye. The conclusion is initially potent with a burst of dried fruit, which then fades into lingering notes of smoky vanilla and earthy rye. The finish is extended, partly due to the tingling and slight numbness on the tongue as a reminder of the sip, with barrel char remaining for a considerable time. This one improves as the glass is consumed, a characteristic I always appreciate. I understand the name "Backyard BBQ"; it's smoky and woody, perfect with smoked brisket or ribs.

This bourbon received lower ratings from many, as it didn't quite meet the standard set by previous excellent Booker's batches. However, it's an intensified Jim Beam, reflecting the traditional popular whiskey with its own rich flavors and harmony. Aroma: charred oak and sweet corn—a more intricate and satisfying version of Jim Beam white label. Palate: candied nuts, vibrant fruits, subtle butterscotch notes. Finish: quite warm and lengthy when neat, but becomes more accessible and sweet with a few drops of water; it's slightly drier than anticipated from the aroma and palate but achieves a good balance, with vanilla baking spices at the end, yet still a rather sweet finish. A commendable Booker's batch, and if I were to suggest a specific batch for Jim Beam enthusiasts to broaden their tastes, this would be it.

Booker's is a brand I favor, and I always inquire about their available versions when visiting establishments with extensive whiskey selections. Husk in Savannah had this particular one, so I felt compelled to try it. I must confess, I noticed its score and saw this expression among the lowest-rated Booker's ever. After tasting it, I fail to comprehend why. While it may not be among the absolute best, it's still highly enjoyable. This exhibits the most caramel I've ever encountered in a Booker's. Salty, peanut, and caramel notes are present. A decent finish. I'm glad I had the opportunity to sample it.

Revisiting this after several months. If you appreciate another specific bourbon, you'll likely enjoy this. Its characteristics are similar, though that bourbon offers a more consistent sweet barbecue note. Nose: Peppercorns, mint, a touch of caramel Palate: Vanilla spice and mild sweetness, but... Finish: Brief and dry Not the best from this producer, but it's a respectable small batch. It resembles a higher-proof bottling of a well-known brand. I prefer the other bourbon to this particular batch.

Revisiting this after a few months... Smell: candy corn, vanilla, fruity notes Taste: full-bodied with sweetness and vibrancy, featuring spicy vanilla, whispers of butterscotch; the woody notes are robust but not too much, possibly due to the limited six years of maturation Aftertaste: moderate with some persistent spice. A little water lifts this bourbon and brings to mind Bakers, which is likely my preferred of the Beam small batch releases, ahead of Knob Creek.