Booker's Bourbon Batch 2015-02 "Dot's Batch"

Batch No. 2 of 2015. I thought the third batch of that year, Center Cut, was one of the very best Booker's batches of all-time. And I love them all. This one is 7 years and 18 days, bottled at 63.95% ABV. Most of you have probably heard enough of me raving about Booker's so I'll just jump right in. Nose: Cherry, peanut brittle, brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla. Cocoa and orange peel as well. Heavy clove, nutmeg, and oak. Alcohol fumes are pungent, but it's expected at the proof. Good start. Palate: Caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and cocoa. Carrot cake, apricot, peach, and orange peel. Surprisingly fruity. Lots of barrel char. Plenty of clove, nutmeg, and oak. The palate is a small step up from an already good nose. Finish: Starts off with some caramel, vanilla. Then it's all spice. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, dill, rosemary, allspice, and a heavy dose of oak. Long a finish as they make. Great stuff. As usual, I love it. I'm guilty of giving every Booker's batch I've ever tried a 5-star rating on this site. Until now. Not much of a drop-off with the 4.5 rating. It's a fantastic whiskey graded on it's own merit. As it compares to other Booker's batches, I found that it does everything well, but fails to truly distinguish from the others in any one way. This is the oldest batch of Booker's I've ever purchased. To get it all these years late for only $80 is a steal. It's practically a collector's item at this point. In fact, that's exactly what it is. If you're a Booker's fan, buy on sight. Strong effort, here.

Still sitting in my collection. After 3 years and 1/2 bottle gone, this expression still carries heavy alcohol on the nose, with leather and oak. Wonderful golden brown hue. Flavor profile is still overpowered with alcohol, but there is a caramel flavor, slight hazelnut, al atop a lasting oak and lasting burn.

Drinking neat: Lots of spicy cedar, musky oak, burnt caramel, buttered cinnamon toast, creamed corn, oily and decadent, easy drinking for it's proof, very spicy like a rye. Dangerously drinkable but I'm not so sure it tastes/smells much better than a Woodford Reserve or a Old Grand Dad BiB.

Believe it or not.... Just found a bottle of 15-02 at an old liquor store (July 2018) and at regular price. It was pushed to the back of the shelf. And... it’s a delicious Booker’s batch. Glad I came across it.

Not an American Whiskey lover at all but this was a present to a good friend and we toasted it! It packs a punch!! I would say it's a must if you like your Bourbon, it's as raw and ready as they come!

I really love this bourbon. I have tasted the 2015-01 and love them both. Damn close to my favorite out of the Beam line up. Super rich and a wonderful warming finish.