Booker's Bourbon Batch 2022-04 "Pinkie's Batch"

So, the thing about more famous bourbons is that I do not want to join the hype. I like smaller names, but this is worth the name. On the nose, it is spice forward which I enjoy. The high percentage at 61% does make it more of an extra punch. It is smooth, and the rye makes it potent. The front is smooth, with such a cinnamon heavy presence to boot. I like it but it is not going to prepare you for everything else. Middle: the spice comes straight with heat. It is not the most pleasant thing after that smooth front end. Finish: it ends smooth, it ends spicy, it ends mostly smooth with a broadly hot and spicy texture that brings the hot notes all together without it being rough. I feel like my review does not do it justice, but I truly believe this is simple and great. The middle is not my favorite, but the front and end make up for it.

Color: Medium Copper Aroma: Butterscotch, oak. Palate: (Drank with an ice cube). Not the hottest or strongest Booker's batch I've ever had. Spicy and oaky...mildly sweet. I really don't have much more to add. It's good, as I'd expect from Booker's. But it's probably the most understated Booker's batch I've ever had, if memory serves. The aroma overshadows the palate — which is always unfortunate. Finish: Medium, with spice and oak being the dominant features. Final Thoughts: I had two pours at a restaurant this evening. When they informed me they were pouring Pinky's Batch, I seized the opportunity to try a batch I never purchased. Not disappointed, but not blown away. 3.25 stars.

Booker's 2022 contest. Booker's 22-03. A touch of heat on the nose with vanilla and wine notes. Tastes sweet with light plum fruit and vanilla. A hint of peanut is barely noticeable on the palate before carrying into the finish with a good amount of spice at the end. Scored 4.5/5. My Booker's 22-04. A nose like syrupy pancakes. Sweet maple, light cereal on the palate, with a bit more nuttiness. It definitely has a nuttier aftertaste but is less spicy. Scored 4.75. 22-04 is the winner tonight. It suits my palate better and aligns with my preferences for a Beam product. I can certainly understand why others might prefer 22-03, and perhaps I would too on another occasion. Just not tonight. Cheers!

Aroma - abundant dark fruits (raisins/dates?).. cinnamon/red hot candies. Detecting a green tea/herbal spice. Also vanilla frosting, cloves, oak, and caramel. A very intriguing aroma. Taste - Caramel, oak, vanilla, and a little nutty. The finish has hints of tobacco leaf and leather. Receiving a dark fruit note soaked in alcohol as well. Overall - An extremely long finish... and it continues to evolve. The finish is outstanding and possibly the best characteristic of this bourbon. 4.7

NOSE Dried dark fruit, biscuity, oaky, vanilla taffy, and caramel with hints of herbal and roasted peanut notes. Not bad, it’s not quite the heavy oak bomb we’ve gotten used to in the 2022 run, but still quite nice. PALATE Caramel, dried cocoa, oak, vanilla frosting, baking spice, biscuity, black licorice, and some candied peanuts. Like the aroma, it’s pretty nice, but no oak monster. FINISH Long -> Peanuts, dried dark fruit, brown sugar, and some oaky vanilla.

Aroma: cinnamon red hot candy shell for days. This smells like opening that cinnamon red hot box at the movies. I love it. So much nostalgia. Palate: caramel, vanilla, brown sugar cinnamon candies. Finish: long tongue coating. Travels down into the chest for a Kentucky hug. Overall: 4.24/5 stars. Excellent pour. One of the easiest drinking Booker's I’ve had.