Booker's Bourbon Batch 2019-04 "Beaten Biscuits"

BOOKER’S SHOWDOWN Booker’s “Beaten Biscuits” 2019-04 Booker’s “Mighty Fine Batch” 2023-03 I'm continuing to go through spirits in my collection that I haven't reviewed yet, or perhaps haven't reviewed as part of a batch. I decided to group these two together for another Showdown. Booker’s was my initial experience with barrel-proof bourbon. I've had several older bottles before this one, including some others, but frankly, Booker’s has taken a backseat over the years. This wasn't intentional, but rather a result of my exploration into other barrel-proof bottlings. I still consider myself a fan. Booker’s “Beaten Biscuits” 2019-04 The color is a clear, deep burnt orange. The nose features black licorice, currants, vanilla, banana bread, oak, rosin, and some alcohol. The mouthfeel is slightly viscous; the palate has oatmeal with light maple syrup and cinnamon. There's a gentle burn on the back end, but the proof is well-integrated. The finish starts with oaky vanilla and a pleasant touch of bitterness, appearing as both sugared espresso and the black licorice that reappeared from the nose, eventually resolving back to gentle vanilla. I gave this too high a score on my last review. This bottling is very good, but not exceptionally so. The key difference for me is how the bitterness on the finish – which is not subtle – is positive and complementary, rather than the more common bitterness driven simply by oak tannin exposure. Each release of Booker’s is typically priced slightly higher than its main competitor, and can usually be found for around $90. Would I buy it again? Yes. But not every release each year. 4.25. 63.05% proof. Aged 6 years, 6 months, 19 days. Uncut and unfiltered. Booker’s “Mighty Fine Batch” 2023-03 Same clear burnt-orange color as the “Beaten Biscuits.” The complex nose brings to mind savory and tangy barbecue sauce, cigar box, toasted marshmallows, chocolate-covered cherries, smoked meat, buttered cornbread, and apple pie, along with a cooling menthol sensation. The palate has a light glycerin feel, and the buttery diacetyl note from the nose continues, along with sweet corn. Charred oak, cinnamon, and vanilla dominate the finish. Wow. This bottling lives up to its name. The roughly $90 retail price for current Booker’s releases is steep, but considering the high proofs and consistently robust flavor profiles, it represents good value in today’s bourbon market. Would I buy it again? Yes. Truly mighty fine. 4.5. 63.3% proof. Age 7 years, 1 month, 10 days. Uncut and unfiltered. Booker’s, a brand owned by a large company, is generally released four times a year. Collectors like to collect, but it's difficult to justify buying all four releases each year, assuming you can even find them. It’s already hard enough to get the annual releases of another bourbon, and now there are multiple releases of another barrel proof option. When will another major distillery join the party of releasing multiple times per year? Details about each bottling, including percentages obtained from specific floors of specific warehouses, can be found on the brand’s website. Note: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Rating: 16/23 I fluctuate in my opinion of Booker's quality. While its youth is evident, I've enjoyed several Booker's releases, though some are definitely misses. Let's assess this one. Nose: The high proof alcohol is prominent initially. Beneath that, I detect minerality, a touch of young meatiness, subtle sweet corn aged on wood, faint dusty sawdust, and the slightest hint of herbal funk and vanilla. Palate: Minerality is present along with cherry, hints of vanilla and licorice, mild nuttiness, and a significant alcoholic burn. Pronounced spices dominate, led by ginger, black pepper, clove, and cinnamon, possibly with a trace of chili pepper. The black licorice note intensifies. Its considerable viscosity effectively delivers the high proof. Beyond the sour mash tartness, there's a subtle richness from the sweet corn, but it's not pronounced. I'd like to find real complexity, but it's not readily apparent. A pleasant musty peanut note eventually emerges, along with some tangerine. There's also a faint clover honey bitterness and sweetness. Finish: The spices become earthier, with more dust and chili pepper. Fleeting notes of musty, funky peanut and black licorice appear. - Conclusion - I'm quite sure Booker's Shiny Barrel (19/23) surpasses this offering. This strikes me as one of the less engaging Booker's releases. Therefore, it can't score higher than an 18, and even that feels a bit generous. Compared side-by-side, my bottle of Resilient 15 (18/23) seems equally complex yet more mature and balanced. While this has some likable aspects, Resilient is superior overall. This one is funkier, which I appreciate, but the alcoholic bite and minerality detract significantly. I'm leaning towards a lower score, placing this slightly above Russell's Reserve 10 (15-16/23), but not by much. It likely scores higher than Uncle Nearest 1856 (15/23), confirming a range of 16 to 17. George Dickel Bottled In Bond (2005) (16/23) offers a mellower profile with a more pleasant, sweeter richness, though less intriguing funky complexity. Corsair Ryemageddon (17/23) stands out for its greater complexity, enjoyable taste, better balance, and surprisingly more mature character. Ultimately, the touch of meatiness here pushes this down to a 16. Regrettably, this is not among the better Booker's batches. My thanks for sharing this! With Booker's prices soaring, tasting a new release is a rare pleasure nowadays.

Some years ago, I was a devoted fan of a certain bourbon, purchasing every release and appreciating the subtle differences in each batch. I then shifted to another bourbon, which I still enjoy, but didn't realize the two could be enjoyed separately. The latter satisfied my craving for high-proof spirits. I've had a particular bottle for over two years and it's barely diminished. I haven't touched it in at least 18 months. It has a certain proof and was aged for a specific duration. What would a variation with a slightly different age statement be like? We'll never know. It appears a deep, clear, dark mahogany, darker than I'd expect for a bourbon under seven years old. The rich, distinct aroma shows cardamom, brown sugar, rye, some camphor, and expected ethanol notes for its proof. The scent itself has a thick, lingering quality. This syrupy characteristic continues on the palate, where spice is present not just as heat but as flavor, akin to thai chilies. There's a subtle, espresso-like bitterness in the finish that adds complexity rather than detracting. My appreciation for that bourbon brand is officially rekindled, even though the average cost seems to have significantly increased since I last bought it regularly. Upon pouring, a warm, perfumed aroma was immediately noticeable, and the first taste confirmed an intense sensory experience. This particular bourbon is not for the timid, but rather for the bourbon enthusiast seeking a powerful yet thoughtful spirit that can be enjoyed for an extended period. It's a must-have addition to a collection. Rated highly on a popular scale. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in separate glasses.

Nose - roasted peanut (almost peanut butter), burnt caramel, brown sugar, pronounced oak, vanilla frosting, corn, dry spice, faint grape, significant ethanol burn. Taste - peanut, rich salted caramel, vanilla frosting, chili pepper, oak notes, slight citrus, strong tongue-numbing alcohol bite, finishing long with lingering peanut, pepper, and spiced vanilla flavors. Overall, I really enjoy it, though not quite as much as ECBP or the Booker's Shiny Barrel Batch release. However, this review is based on the initial pour from the bottle. I suspect it will become smoother and improve after about a month.

Beaten Biscuits is excellent. I believe it ranks second in the Booker's lineup for me, just behind Country Ham, which it somewhat resembles in aroma and flavor, possibly due to the barrels coming from the same warehouses if my memory serves me correctly. I detect classic bourbon notes executed well, with prominent vanilla, caramel, nutmeg, and, of course, the characteristic peanut funk that is essential to Booker's. I enjoy the proof and flavor of Booker's, even if they are a bit too expensive for my preference.

Wow, this had a sweetness in the aroma that persisted to the finish. A dense mouthfeel for me, giving the sensation of melting in my mouth. A nice medium finish. Every sip was a pleasure. Definitely NEED another bottle. This was my first experience with this brand's line, and I am very disappointed that I missed out on the less expensive offerings previously. That said, it was worth the price I paid.