Color: Deep amber. Smell: Wonderful! A classic Booker's aroma! Molasses and sweet wood notes. Surprisingly mellow (doesn't irritate your nose) for such a high proof. Taste: (consumed with a large ice ball) Oh, yes! There's the proof! A strong Kentucky embrace on the very first sip, along with a significant amount of oaky spice. Sweet like the smell, but a bit more "proofy" than the smell — it certainly tastes like its stated proof. I've seen other reviews here suggesting it drinks below the proof. I'm not sure I concur. As the ice ball melts, things soften slightly, and I detect something resembling tobacco. I wish I could identify flavors more precisely (Perhaps with subsequent servings?), but on this initial pour, I'm getting a general "spicy and oaky" profile. Aftertaste: Short and somewhat drying, with malted milk and oak. Final thoughts: I've sampled several Booker's bottles over the past few years: "Pigskin" 2020-03, "Charlie's" 2023-01, "Storyteller" 2023-04, "Springfield " 2024-01... and now this one. I wish I still had those others available for comparison, but I can confidently say that this "Master Distillers" batch is comparable to those. My recollection is accurate, and this one evokes those previous batches. It's very characteristic of "Booker's," so if you're a fan, you'll appreciate this one. Rating it 4.0 stars, all things considered.
Booker's Bourbon Batch 2024-03 "Master Distillers Batch"
Whiskey Bourbon Kentucky 7 YR 8 MO 7 DY 65.2% ABV
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About this bottle
Master Distillers Batch is the third bourbon release from Booker's in 2024. This batch is named in tribute to the group of distillers from the late 1980s and early 1990s who significantly influenced Fred Noe, the 7th generation Beam Family Master Distiller. This esteemed group includes Fred's father, Booker Noe, along with his contemporaries at other distilleries. The bourbon was produced on two separate dates and stored in four distinct warehouses. It has been aged for 7 years, 8 months, and 7 days, and was bottled uncut and unfiltered at 130.3 proof (65.15% ABV). Nationwide availability is scheduled to begin in October 2024. (SRP $99.99)
How it tastes
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Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 8 parsed reviews.
This is proof of a great batch - it drinks 20 points lower than its proof (110 vs 130). It has a thick, creamy mouthfeel with brown sugar and stewed fruit at the front. The mid-palate has subtle toffee, sweet oak, and is never tannic. The finish is full, soft, and easy, ending with chocolate and baking spices, leaving gently with a faint hug and a relaxing finish. I've had every Booker's for about seven years and would rank this in the top 10. This was a neck pour from overnight with the cap off - I would expect this to improve only. It reminds me of 'Sip a While'. Greetings to everyone for a healthy upcoming holiday season.
This distillery delivers another winner! Almost perfect bourbon. A little fiery, as is typical for this brand; I introduced a tiny bit of water to unlock all the incredible flavors within.
A lot of spice but very caramelly, good flavor. Doesn't taste like 130 proof. Very caramel-forward, a very good batch. Enjoyed it.
NOT the typical peanut notes from Booker’s. Very nice at 130 proof with a long finish. Very good expression.
Vanilla, apple, cranberry and fire. This is a very spicy release.
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