Little Book Chapter 9: None For Granted

This is a great series. The last one, Chapter 8, was good enough to tie my previous favorite, Chapter 4, for the Little Book crown. I don’t know the percentage breakdown, but this is a handful of bourbons blended with a rye. Again, that one rye could be the most dominant in the mash for all I know. I guess the profile will speak for itself. All 7-11 year old whiskey. Bottled at a whopping 60.9% ABV. Let’s check it out. Nose: Pistachio and almond. Peanut brittle. Vanilla wafer. Baked apple pie. Some cherry. Vanilla and brown sugar. Carrot cake. Ripe banana. Some of that vanilla Greek Yogurt I often get from Booker’s/Little Book. Pipe smoke. Cola. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. All the spices. Palate: Heavy on the caramel and vanilla. Brown sugar. Peanut brittle—big time. Black pepper and black tea. Barrel char is strong. Cocoa. Black pepper, pipe smoke. Black tea. Cola. Fudge. More of the baked apple pie and carrot cake. Finish: Fudge and caramel. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Sawdust. Black tea and pipe/barrel smoke. Long—awesome finish. This was a really fun blend. A simple concept to be certain, but also an insight into what Jim Beam does best. The rye component stands out among the bourbons utilized in this blend. Profile-wise, this is like a Thanksgiving feast with Christmas food thrown in for good measure. It’s excellent stuff. At $160, this was well worth the price of admission when comparing it to previous offerings. It’s a $10 hike from the last couple, which, as much as I hate to say it, is a fair increase when you factor in inflation and everything. I had it at a $4.75 with that last quarter start boost for hitting the mark in terms of value for money. Top shelf. 5/5.

This iteration stands out as the finest in the Little Book series to date. I'm uncertain what someone else was sampling to only award this an 88. Little Book batch 8 deserves a 95. Tasting Notes The primary characteristic of this bottling is its rye-dominant nature, rendering this batch intricate. * Nose: The scent is an intricate blend of fresh rye bread, gingerbread, and baking spices like clove and cinnamon. An unexpected quantity of fruit notes, including raspberry jam, orange peel, and cherries. There are also undertones of butterscotch and toasted oak. * Palate: The taste is a "flavor explosion" with a thick and opulent mouthfeel. It's intense and spicy, featuring herbal notes such as dill and mint, alongside a medley of spices, clove and cinnamon. The rye's spice is counterbalanced by a gentle sweetness from the bourbon element, with notes of caramel, molasses, and butterscotch. * Finish: The conclusion is extended and persistent, with the rye spice and herbal notes lingering. It finishes with additional sweetness from caramel and brown sugar, and some fruit notes like dried apricot and a light citrus. A 95 rating from me.

Glass: Glencairn, allowed to rest for 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Apple, apricot, bright fruit with a sweet caramel note. Palate: Cinnamon, clove, baking spice, oak, and a peppery note. Finish: Warm and long, consistent with the proof. Splash: A few drops are very effective, enhancing the spicier notes - the oak really stands out. Overall: 9.5/10 - I've had the pleasure of trying some truly exceptional whiskeys recently, and this is no exception. Beam continues to produce outstanding products with Little Book. I'm fortunate to have found one at all, and the price was too good to pass up.

Not significantly different from the 2025 Booker's releases. It has sweeter tasting notes and a long finish, which is what I anticipate from Booker's, but it's not distinct or superior enough to warrant purchasing it over other 2025 Booker's releases.

This particular bottling is the best I've encountered; it drinks every bit of 120 proof but, after the initial intensity, it's really quite pleasant. A few drops of water are needed to help it open up.

Another excellent bottling of Little Book! Caramel and baking spices on the nose. The heat overwhelms the flavor; I'll let it breathe a bit longer and revisit it.