Booker's Bourbon Batch 2020-02 "Boston Batch"

Rating: 20/23 N: Some minerality, but bold peanut bordering on peanut butter. That peanut butter trails off into peanut shells and then wood with mild spices. There is some alcohol, but not too much. It's dusty and kind of mature, while maintaining a youthful peanut butter spirit to its richness. The minerality is interesting, but doesn't make it come across as much more youthful than it is. P: A bit light for a Booker's release, with some minerals. That said, there's a big Beam peanut flavor mixed with some elegant cinnamon and other baking spices (ginger, black pepper, clove), which fade smoothly into some dusty (though not sawdusty) barrel. There's some slightly sweet black licorice, but it doesn't stand out too much. I do taste a bit of the alcohol, but it's fairly minimal. It's actually quite elegant and tasty. The complexity is solid, though not amazing. I generally prefer a fuller flavor as well, but the minerals actually add some character here and all of the flavors are good and balanced. This is easy to sip. F: Limestone minerality with peanut and dusty wood that carries some spice. The minerals make up the biggest part of the finish, but they're bold, so it doesn't seem all that watered down. I like the palate better, but this is still pretty nice. - Conclusion - This isn't a Booker's release that I remember hearing great things about, but it really stands out to me. This is one of the best one's I've tried for sure. Booker's tends to be a bit youthful and aggressive. While this isn't overly mature of mellow, it tones those characteristics back to produce a more refined profile that is easy to sip and enjoyable to contemplate. Booker's Shiny Barrel (19/23) is more fiery and less complex than this. I do taste less of the alcohol in the Shiny Barrel, but it also burns more from the alcohol. The Shiny Barrel is also richer and fuller, but overall I don't think it's as good. That's saying something. This is impressive for a bourbon that is barely over six and a quarter years old. I don't have much as good as this to try side by side. The one thing giving the Shiny Barrel an edge is that its alcohol doesn't show as much. This is definitely beating my bottle of Resilient 15 (18/23), so it's at least a 19. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof (21/23) is much richer and fuller than this is. Sure, it's more fiery and less complex, but it's also just so much more decadent. I favor the Jack Daniel's, but the gap honestly isn't that large. I'm thinking 20 to 21 for this right now, but leaning toward a 20. I'm very impressed. A final side by side with the Jack Daniel's puts me fairly confidently into the 20 camp, but it's a high 20. Yeah, Wild Turkey 101 isn't that far below this. But the Jack Daniel's isn't that far above it either. Honestly, I'm surprised to be saying this, but this Boston batch, one of the youngest and most maligned of all Booker's releases, is my favorite so far. Little doubt about that. The complexity and - oddly - maturity exhibited here make it a really enjoyable dram. Thanks for sharing yet another Booker's @jdriip . I didn't expect much of this one based on what I'd read, but wow was I wrong!

Split purchase with a friend, open 8 weeks. Nose - Rich caramel and peanut brittle, strong oak and ethanol, baked apples, light baking spices and even some mint, light berries, hints of rye whiskey Palate - Up front it's sweet, dark caramel and peanuts, berry compote, rye spices. The mid-palate and finish are overtaken by oak, peanut brittle, and ethanol. It is a medium-long finish with a bite that dries the mouth. When it fades, you want another one because each sip takes you on a journey. This was my first ever Booker's purchase. I actually didn't buy it, my friend did and I gave him three whiskeys in the trade (Talisker Distiller's, ECBP A120, 1792 Single Barrel). I've seen Booker's go up in price in $10 increments over the decade, and I've always avoided it because of the cost. I understand the hype, this is really good stuff and much better than most Jim Beam offerings. But this falls flat when you compare it to its cousin, Knob Creek Single Barrel, which is $40 cheaper and can be found nearly twice its age as store picks. Even if you can't find a store pick, Knob Creek SiB is 2-3 years older than Booker's and I can't imagine the quality difference between the barrels justifies that price disparity. Additionally, you can buy what I consider the superior ECBPs for $30 less. I do think this is a very solid bourbon, but unless you live in a state where you can find this for $70 I suggest passing on this and use that money for something in the $60 range.

Color: incredible copper color, represents its age statement with a high char look Legs: it's a two wave affair, the first set glide down quickly and the second set have a formation akin to a large beasts about to make a charge down the side of the glass Nose: high vanilla and burnt sugar cross the nostril with a lingering spicy scent of peppery leather First sip: a medium viscosity with an initial impression of sweet, buttery corn and vanilla. Immediately followed by a good amount of spice with a slight burn as the bourbon slides under the tongue. Pallet: great balance for a 120+ proof bourbon. It has the beginning of a simple bourbon and as it spreads throughout the mouth, it develops a slight burn to add some spicy complexity. Finish: it's an easy finish for the proof but does have a lingering spice that makes one want to give it another go around. Really enjoyed this one. Would probably price it closer to 60-70 instead of low 90's. But I like sweeter bourbons.

Drinking this neat, neck pour. This is my first Bookers “tasting” experience. The batch is the “Boston’s Batch” named after the hometown where Booker got his start. Subtext seems like this is a bourbon getting back to its roots or simply a tribute. Well, let’s get into it. Peanuts!!! Tons of vanilla, kinda reminds me of a Reese’s cup. Slight amount of oak with dark fruits/cherries. Get a bit of frosting to here.. and now I want cake. Very fun nose on this one. I feel like I could spend hours picking this one apart. Continuation of peanuts on the pallet wrapped in salted caramel with a touch more of oakiness. Damn this has a nice warming effect. Perfect amount heat for me. I want to say this has that burnt marshmallow it’s what I’m getting underneath the nuttiness. This pour is great. A bit of toasted malts on finish. On the bitter side. I think Bookers just gained a new fan. Excited to see how the third release will compare! Cheers everyone.

Nose: Roasted peanuts, Bit -O-honey candy , a hint of tobacco, oak, corn... Palate: peanut brittle, burnt sugar (like on top of a creme brûlée) not a bad experience, very oily mouth feel. Leaves the top of the tongue a little numb. Definitely get the proof coming through. Finish: Medium finish. Lingers for a few seconds, but the flavor finishes well before the burn on the back of the throat. Overall: It is a good pour... it gets boring though after the first pour. I look for different complexities, but keep getting the same flavor forward profile with no nuances. I expect more from a $100 bottle. I am not unhappy that I bought it, but I wouldn’t buy another for under $50. I have several

Nose: Soft; sweet, and a little bit of spice. I get apples and pears with vanilla and nutmeg. At one point I swear I got a giant whiff of peanuts. Palate: Much more bold than the nose would suggest. Sweet and spice come in waves - it’s like a flurry of flavors that unfortunately lead to a short finish. I get a strong oak, char, and baking spices flavor that give way to sweeter vanilla and dark caramel notes. Again, there’s a hint of some nuttiness- almost like dark chocolate covered peanuts? I like this. It’s not an incredibly special bourbon but it’s what I would expect from a booker’s batch.