Baker's Single Barrel Bourbon 13 Year

Limited release from Beam. I'm a big fan of the standard 7-year expression of Baker's (the recently discontinued small batch version.) I originally saw this for $80, which seemed like a bargain considering this is the oldest (and most expensive) bourbon I've ever owned and I've paid more for younger bottles. I didn't buy on sight, and by the time I realized just how limited it was, it was already gone. When I finally found it again, it was $150. Oh well. I won't let that dampen my expectations for this one. Nose: Lots of brown notes: brown sugar, caramel, cocoa, chocolate, big oak. Classic Beam peanut brittle. Apple, orange, raisin, toffee, vanilla. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and allspice. Plenty of barrel char. Sawdust. Tobacco smoke. It's a fairly standard bourbon nose. Extremely subtle for 107; not a trace of ethanol. Solid, clean, crisp nose. Palate: Apple, cocoa, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla. More peanut brittle, now accompanied by walnut. More barrel char, as well as oak, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and allspice. Plenty of spice here. Black pepper and black licorice. Carrot cake. Fudge. A touch more of the orange citrus. Once again, it's nothing out of the ordinary for a bourbon--at least in terms of notes. But it's so clean and refined. That alone sets this apart. A much calmer and more measured version of it's younger brother. Finish: A big hit of orange citrus out of the gate. Apple, vanilla, and toffee sweetness. Caramel and cocoa. Leather. Closely reflects the rest of the experience. Barrel char, oak, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon add a hefty dose of spice and heat. This is the only portion of the whiskey that is reminiscent of the 7 year. The notes are similar throughout, but the bombastic brashness and heat on this long finish conjure up memories of the original small batch release. Great finish. So what do I think of the oldest bourbon I've ever owned, or even tasted (I've had plenty aged-stated at 12 so this isn't much of a jump)? Clean, refined, and measured. I used all of those words above, and I feel that they are the best words I could use to describe what sets this one apart from the pack. The notes themselves are standard; the presentation, however, is truly unique. The only bourbon that bourbon that I recall having a greater combination of crispness and maturity is the Weller 12. So is it worth $80. Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. Is it worth $150? Well, that's a hard call. I'm glad I bought it, at any rate. So I'll confirm that it's worthy of it's price tag. It's a departure from a lot of the characteristics I look for in a bourbon, save that beastly 53.5% finish. However, age does wonders for this one, and delivers an experience I haven't had since I killed my Weller 12 over a year ago. Next, I've got to pick up the new Baker's 7 year SB. I hope that this 13 year version becomes a periodic release. One might could view the change as Jim Beam ousting Baker's from the core lineup. Conversely, one could say that the distillery is breathing new life into its most underappreciated line. This expression is a fantastic representative of JB's 107 proof stalwart. If you can still find a bottle, I highly recommend it. Edit: Just under three years later and I’ve got to bump this up from 4.75/5. The bottle got better with time and air. I can’t believe I said this was a departure from what I normally look for in a bourbon. Even then, I was not suggesting that the profile was anything short of great—just different. But now I’m thinking that this bottle was one of few that informed my palate going forward. Top shelf bar none.

So I normally rate everything from the nose on down and then average my results for a composite. Not going to do that with this one because this bottle is not the sum of its parts, but rather a bigger picture. Let me break it down- Wonderfully vibrant nose. Oaky, butterscotchy, ethanol. It smells like I remember Jim Beam's rickhouses when I did the distillery tour in June. It is wonderful when a bourbon elicits a good memory rather than just the mental files of what it "tastes like." To me that is when a whiskey moves from really good to really special. The palate is so balanced. The spices, the caramels, the vanilla are in near perfect harmony. Not one outshines the other. I worried that this one might be too spicy, or too oaky, but it seems that 13 years in a barrel is just the right time. The 107 proof is not too heavy and not too light-- like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears it seems "just right." The finish gives you a warm hug. Not the bear hug of a high proof bookers, and not the "thanks for coming, see you later" hug of a whiskey at or below 100 proof. I call it a "grandma hug"- warm and welcoming. This is a great bourbon, period, simple. One part does not outshine the other. To give perspective we shared this at tasting table with a 2016 Vanwinkle Estate 12 yr, 2019 GTS (was may favorite but this was super close), Parker's Heritage Char Rye (just to spice things up a bit- reviews on that later, took my top spot for favorite rye of 2019!), and this year's OF Birthday. That's big company, that is an awesome lineup! The seven of us consistantly had Baker's 13 in our top 3. I have no problem with this as a premium. It far outkicks its coverage!

Color: Deep copper-amber Nose: Not a very potent nose with familiar oak, leather, and the slightest indication of alcohol. Palate: (Drank with a large ice ball) First sip is sweet on the front of the tongue, but quickly presents a spicy oak blast and a warm chest hug ensues. This is a very "Booker's"-esque profile — which makes total sense. Yeah, it's got that Beam "nuttiness" and some heavy oak char. It's a potent pour... very spice and oak- forward. As always, the melting ice tamps down the spiciness while revealing something akin to salted caramel. Finish: Long finish with more barrel char and emphasis on "spicy". Final Thoughts: At 13 years, I would expect to place this in the "elevated" column of Bourbon... and that's where it belongs. If there's anything I have learned from these past several years of sipping Bourbon is that "age" — although not automatically being synonymous with "excellence" — will almost always deliver on "complexity" and "refinement". This one definitely drinks per it's proof, and is definitely as refined as you'd expect from such an age statement. Is it all I hoped it would be? Hmmm... not sure. I'm not sure what I hoped for, tbh. Baker's 7 Year I count amongst my favorites, and I'm thinking that is really all I need from this particular brand. This simply didn't stand out enough from the younger version. I acquired this with a Total Wine gift card. Had I paid $$$, I might be feeling slightly... unfulfilled. 3.5 stars for being a quality pour, while not totally convinced that its price tag is warranted.

Funny did not recall rating this prior & I ended up with the same rating I use a nitrogen argon barrier in all of my open whiskey bottles & swear by it All top shelf bottles with no backup I immediately pour (3) 2OZ Boston Rounds to the tippy top & store away When I taste a sealed Boston Round against same bottle there is no noticeable degradation Last night I poured the pictured Bakers 13 – revisited after quite some time – was opened with store owner at time of purchase 2 years ago (or more) as believe I purchased it Dec 2019 Long story short once the Bakers opened up in the glen it really shined Keeping in mind this is not a small batch like all other Bakers before it … The nose on this single barrel was filled with sweetness, oak, caramel, vanilla all one looks for in a bourbon = 5/5 The palate carried through with balance & smoothness, no heat, a slightly higher proof might have given this more mouth feel and in turn a higher rating on the palate but not shabby at 4.25/5 The finish was good started off well but veered slightly off course 3.75/ 5 Total Score 4.25/5 Nitrogen Argon barrier rate at 5/5 😉 Cheers

Nose is full of brown sugar, pine, barrel char, molasses, vanilla bean, custard, oak, clove, stone fruit, and leather. Very complex. Ethanol nearly nonexistent. Palate differs from the nose in the sense that much more traditional vanilla/caramel/cinnamon notes are prevalent, which is in no way a bad thing. Also more barrel char, almond butter, black cherry, peanut, and clove. Long smooth finish is where things really become elevated with a slow morph into creme brûlée, soft, sweet oak, charcoal, black pepper, tobacco, mint, and a delightful hint of raspberry. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with just a hint of graininess. My tongue wanted full bodied and silky; I guess you can’t have everything. Overall a delightful whiskey with no major flaws, and a nice example of “highly aged” bourbon. I paid $149.99 which isn’t crazy over retail but yet still pretty pricy. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Would I run out and buy it again for that price? Almost certainly not. Hard to rate since 4.0 = rebuy status for me but I can’t say that this is a sub 4.0 whiskey. I’m going to not factor in price on this rating. 4.25

2023 release. Nose - can I just say basic bourbon? OK Ok...I"ll say more. This comes off light and fruity, nearing caramel apples. As you dig in however the rich oak comes through, hints of leather, old spice, dusty cabinets, and of course vanilla extract. It's really nice but a touch muted and lends itself to upon first arrival just smelling like some less nutty than usual beam. Taste - Similar to the nose, the arrival is also pretty basic but exceptionally clean bourbon. Light fruits and vanilla. Thankfully, things turn up as you swallow and the finish gives you great beam oak notes (that dirty and rich oak they always give off), leathers, and a really nice level of spice builds up. A very nicely done 13 year old bourbon. Nothing outstanding here. just well crafted and put together. I'll give it a solid 3.25. I'd say about an 87 on a 100 point scale. At 150ish, I think think this is fair value.