Booker's Bourbon Batch 2018-01 Kathleen's Batch

63.7% abv Uncut and Non chill-filtered Aged 6 years, 3 months and 14 days Nose: strong vanilla; dark char; rye and clove spice; cherry/cherry cola; alcohol from the high Proof. All in all, delish. Taste: medium body, viscous and full flavor! Vanilla and dark brown sugar and caramel; slight mint; cherry; rye spice Finish: long and rewarding. Peppery spice, vanilla, hints of mint, peanut, toasted marshmallow, oaky barrel char and a delicious caramel toffee at the very end. Value: $60-75. Worth it. Final thoughts: I’ve never been disappointed by a Booker’s batch, but this one is a hair above the average and the best of the 2018 batches. Grab this or any Booker’s without hesitation and use water liberally to tame the burn, open up the flavors, and enjoy the ride. Score: 4.5/5 Highly recommend buying a bottle Malt musing: “Soup of the day: bourbon.”

A sample gifted from the "Whiskey Transfer Program" from dthom. A very complex whiskey with the signature Beam nutty flavors that I've come to expect. Nose: Musty wood, butterscotch, a slight raisin scent, and heavy ethanol (no surprise given the proof). The prevailing smell? Bubblegum like Big League Chew. Flavor: This doesn't bite as hard as the proof would suggest. Sweet vanilla, dried fruits like cranberries, and brown sugar. Finish: Peanut Butter. Lots of peanut butter and then sandalwood and tobacco mixed with cloves that tastes kind of like a clove cigarette. It finishes strong with more chunky peanut butter. The finish is the best part here for sure. My first foray in to the Booker's world and I like it. I'd definitely try more though the price point is a little steep.

A whiskey of beautiful extremes, Booker’s 2018-01 greets the nose with ripe red apples, cooked pears, buttery toffee, butterscotch, buttered toast, coffee candies, shelled peanuts, and a beautiful rye spice with cinnamon, cloves, and a bit of black tea. Like an almond roca dipped in fire. The palate hits hard with sweet caramel, dried apples, toasted peanuts, dark dusty oak, roasted corn, and a rich fiery spice of black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. A long deep burn in the chest follows with an exhale of toasted walnuts, almond butter, burnt sugar, and a pleasant bitterness akin to a strong black coffee. A spicy, sweet explosion in a glass.

To be honest, I’m not sure which batch this was. But I loved every second of it! It is very hot, and exceptionally full flavored. My very first sip of the bottle turn it off, but it was because I had never had anything like it. Any chance I can have to get a bottle, I snatch it up. Just had every classic bourbon flavor, but on steroids! Carmel, vanilla, cinnamon, and heat!! I can’t figure out the oiliness of the mouthfeel due to the flavours, but it’s full. Very full. Will clear your nose! And the longest finish I can recall. The only one I like better then this - for a special occasion drink - is Baker’s. And I’m not a JB fanboy - just a bourbon fanboy!

Nose - Roasted nuts, caramel, orange peel, oak, and vanilla. Was expecting more heat/ethanol given the proof. Palate - that Beam peanut note is definitely there, along with caramel and some baking spices. The finish lingers with vanilla, oak and some cinnamon. Not as concentrated (or hot) as I've come to expect from Bookers, I'd say this is a kinder, gentler Bookers (which is not a bad thing, I quite like it).

Note- Thick molasses and soy sauce. Body- Whooo! This one will punch you in the throat hard. Molasses and soy sauce continue. There is a lot of spice on it op of all of that. Finish- More of a feel than a taste. My taste buds are going nuts on both sides of my tongue. Added ice- so nice! Vanilla and cinnamon balance one another. This all culminates in a pecan pie finish. Delicious with one cube of ice! Buy this!