Color: Deep amber. Nose: Ahhh! Such a classic Booker's nose! Molasses and woody sweetness. Surprisingly "soft" (doesn't singe your nostril hairs) for such a high proof. Palate: (drank with a large ice ball) Oh, yeah! There's the proof! Big Kentucky hug on the very first sip, along with a big dose of oaky spice. Sweet like the nose, but a bit more "proofy" than the nose — that is, it definitely drinks per its proof. I've read other reviews here stating that it drinks below the proof. Not sure if I agree. As the ice ball begins to melt, things mellow out a bit, and I get something akin to tobacco. I wish I could pinpoint flavors more specifically (Maybe on subsequent pours?), but on this first pour, I'm getting a general "spicy and oaky" profile. Finish: Short and slightly drying, with malted milk and oak. Final thoughts: I've had several Booker's over the past few years: "Pigskin" 2020-03, "Charlie's" 2023-01, "Storyteller" 2023-04, "Springfield " 2024-01... and now this one. I wish I still had those others on-hand to compare against, but I can definitely say that this "Master Distillers" batch is on par with those. My memory serves me well, and this one is reminiscent of those previous batches. It's very "Booker's", so if you're a fan, you'll dig this one. 4.0 stars, all things considered.
Booker's Bourbon Batch 2024-03 "Master Distillers Batch"
About this bottle
Master Distillers Batch is the third bourbon batch release from Booker's for 2024. The batch is named after the a group of distillers from the late 80s and early 90s who were influential to Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th generation Master Distiller. This group of legends includes his own father Booker Noe and his peers at other distilleries. This batch was made on two different production dates and stored in four different warehouses. Aged for 7 years, 8 months, and 7 days, this was bottled uncut and unfiltered at 130.3 proof (65.15% ABV). Available nationwide beginning October 2024. (SRP $99.99)
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 8 parsed reviews.
Exhibit A of a great batch - drinks 20 points lower than its proof (110 vs 130). Thick creamy mouthfeel - brown sugar stewed fruit front, mid is subtle toffee sweet oak never tannic - full soft and easy finish that wraps up chocolates and baking spices and leaves gently with a faint hug and relaxing finish. Ive had every Bookers for 7 or so years and would place this in the top 10. Neck pour from overnight cap off - woukd expext this to only improve - reminds me of ‘Sip a While’. Greetings to all for a healthy upcoming Holiday season.
Bookers does it again! Near perfect bourbon. A tad hot like most bookers, I added a drop of water to get the best of all the amazing flavors in there
Q bot of soice but very carmely, good flavor. Doesnt drink the 130 proof. Very caramel forward, very good batch. Liked it.
NOT the typical peanut notes from Booker’s. Very nice at 130 proof with long finish. Very good expression.
Vanilla, apple, cranberry and 🔥. This is a very spicy release.
2 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
