Booker's Bourbon Batch 2019-01 "Teresa's Batch"

Here we go with not just my first barrel-proof bourbon, but my first barrel-proof whiskey ever. This brand is well-recognized among bourbon enthusiasts, and I'm pleased to have the opportunity to sample it. This particular release is the 2019-01 “Teresa’s Batch,” registering at 125.9 proof (62.95% ABV) – wow! I appreciate the presentation, the attractive display box, and the bottle itself is quite appealing with its simple label. I poured about 1.5 oz into my Glencairn glass and let it rest for a few minutes. The color is a beautiful, deep, rich gold, with thin legs that take a long time to form. I tasted and nosed it neat, and after a few sips, added a couple of drops of water to explore further. Nose: This definitely registers at 125 proof, impressive! Once you move past the initial ethanol notes, the aroma truly expands. I first detect a rich sweetness, reminiscent of a dense, spiced syrup cake. There are certainly spice notes present, like cinnamon and nutmeg, with a touch of allspice perhaps, evoking a Christmas feel. There's a subtle hint of nuttiness, possibly like peanuts. The aroma is very intriguing and complex. After adding water later, woody notes become prominent. Palate: The flavor is incredibly rich and full. While it has some heat, it's very enjoyable and not overwhelming; it doesn't detract from the whiskey itself. As you sip, it evolves with the addition of water in your mouth. It's spicy and sweet, even more intense than those same notes on the nose. There's definitely some oak/char/barrel character on the back end of the palate. Finish: It's long and lingering, quite oily and pleasant. Like sitting beside a bonfire on a cool evening, this will invigorate you, warming you from your throat to your chest. Long after the sip has gone down, you're left with syrupy sweet notes and oaky barrel character – truly excellent. Value/Overall Opinion: As this is my first barrel-proof bourbon, I realize I have much more to discover. However, I genuinely enjoy this whiskey; it's quite remarkable. There are so many flavors to discern in the aroma, and when you take a sip, they simply flood your senses. This bottle cost me $70, which I consider a very fair price for such a high-proof spirit. It's evident that considerable care went into crafting this bourbon. I would definitely drink and purchase it again, though perhaps a different batch to explore the range of tastes this brand offers.

The aroma is pretty typical for a Booker’s, meaning to me it has astringency, caramel, and sugar. This is where it differs from previous Booker’s I have tried. So, picture your standard Booker’s body. Remove all flavors except caramel. Imagine your standard Booker’s finish. Remove the flavors and mouthfeel, and substitute it with saliva-flavored pop rocks. You have now created a Teresa’s Batch. I can’t really say this version is a failure or a success. It’s nowhere near my top pick, which is currently 2015-06. But it’s not bad; it’s just remarkably uninspired when compared directly with other Booker’s expressions. And that sensation on the tongue at the end… wow. I mean, I have certainly never experienced anything quite like it, and it’s definitely intriguing. It felt like I could hear the Rice Krispies in my mouth. I’m honestly uncertain who this batch is intended for. Booker’s enthusiasts will be disappointed by the absence of depth. Newcomers will likely be put off by the pop rocks sensation. All things considered, I believe this one warrants a taste but not a purchase. Try it with a companion.

While I'm a huge admirer of Booker's, this particular expression was peculiar. Exceptionally peculiar. As someone who anticipates every release, this one was a letdown. I'm uncertain if it was due to drawing barrels from approximately seven different warehouses, but the best way I can describe it is that it seemed 'disoriented.' Booker's carries a high price, and I expect exceptional fermented corn spirits for $80. This was very average corn spirit. Notes of vanilla, caramel, nuts, with a hint of confusion. I believe the Booker's line is improving with each release. Some older Booker's expressions were, frankly, not great. However, the majority of the 2019 and 2020 releases were among the finest bourbon bottlings I've encountered. I'm hopeful that Theresa's Batch was the last of the unusual batches, and so far, it appears that might be the case.

The aroma is dominated by spice, featuring black pepper and baking spices, supported by charred oak, deep, almost burnt caramel, and a wave of vanilla that softens its intensity. The palate is potent, loaded with pepper, rye, and baking spices that coat the entire mouth, immediately followed by sharp, charred oak. A touch of almost astringent cherry syrup overwhelms the sweeter vanilla notes. The finish is long and intensely peppery, leaving the mouth buzzing with spice as the astringent charred oak fades at the edges. It's a bit too bitter to be truly enjoyable, but it excels as a spice bomb. The finish isn't particularly pleasant, so it doesn't quite invite further sips.

Nose: peanut butter, caramel, brown sugar, black pepper, heat and spicy rye, oak, wood char ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Taste: Intensely flavorful and mouth-coating. Vanilla, oak, caramelized apples, a hint of grape, peanut butter, and white pepper. It starts quite sweet and transitions into a thick, savory peanut butter note. I think the texture contributes to that. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The finish is a little tart and has a medium level of pepper, but much of the lingering flavors are driven by the heat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Truly an incredible whiskey. The alcohol heat remains on your tongue for a long time, but it's never harsh. This whiskey makes a very strong case for me to continue exploring cask strength whiskies, especially unfiltered. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 94/100

Review of Teresa’s Batch: *Packaging, bottle, and overall look - a clear choice; fantastic *Aroma - caramel, oak, warm, yet gentle, if that makes sense. It didn’t seem as potent as the proof suggested *Served Neat - significant heat, savory peanut, vanilla, baking spice mixing cinnamon and nutmeg, pleasant texture, and a robust oaky conclusion *Two ice cubes seem to be the ideal amount for my taste preferences *Score: a solid 94 in my opinion *Concluding thought - I doubt a perfect 100/100 bottle exists, and 94 is among my highest personal scores for anything tasted. This has definitely become my preferred non-wheated spirit.