Little Book Chapter 9: None For Granted

This is a great series. The Last one, Chapter 8, was good enough to tie my previous favorite, Chapter 4, for the Little Book crown. I don’t know the percentage breakdown, but this a handful of bourbons blended with a rye. Again, that one rye could be the most dominant in the mash for all I know. I guess the profile will speak for itself. All 7-11 year old whiskey. Bottled at a whopping 60.9% ABV. Let’s check it out. Nose: Pistacchio and almond. Peanut brittle. Vanilla wafer. Baked apple pie. Some cherry. Vanilla and brown sugar. Carrot cake. Ripe banana. Some of that vanilla Greek Yogurt I often get from Booker’s/Little Book. Pipe smoke. Cola. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. All the spices. Palate: Heavy on the caramel and vanilla. Brown sugar. Peanut brittle—big time. Black pepper and black tea. Barrel char is strong. Cocoa. Black pepper, pipe smoke. Black tea. Cola. Fudge. More of the baked apple pie and carrot cake. Finish: Fudge and caramel. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Sawdust. Black tea and pipe/barrel smoke. Long—awesome finish. This was a really fun blend. A simple concept to be certain, but also an insight into what Jim Beam does best. The rye component stands out among the bourbons utilized in this blend. Profile-wise, this is like a Thanksgiving feast with Christmas food thrown in for good measure. It’s excellent stuff. At $160, this was well worth the price of admission when comparing it previous offerings. It’s a $10 hike from the last couple, which, as much as I hate to say it, is a fair increase when you factor in inflation and everything. I had it at a $4.75 with that last quarter start boost for hitting the mark in terms VFM. Top shelf. 5/5.

This batch is by far the best of the Little Book series at this point. Not sure what Amada was tasting when she only graded this an 88. Little Book batch 8 should be rated 95. Tasting Notes The dominant characteristic of this release is its rye-forward profile making this batch complex * Nose: The aroma is a complex mix of fresh rye bread, gingerbread, and baking spices like clove and cinnamon. A surprising amount of fruit notes, such as raspberry jam, orange peel, and cherries. There are also hints of butterscotch and toasted oak. * Palate: The palate is a "flavor explosion" with a thick and rich mouthfeel. It's bold and spicy, with herbal notes like dill and mint, alongside a mix of spices, clove and cinnamon. The rye spice is balanced by a subtle sweetness from the bourbon component, with notes of caramel, molasses, and butterscotch. * Finish: The finish is long and lingering, with the rye spice and herbal notes holding on. It concludes with more sweetness from caramel and brown sugar, and some fruit notes like dried apricot and a light citrus. 95 rating from me.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Apple, apricot, bright fruit with a sweet caramel note. Palate: Cinnamon, clove, baking spice, oak, and a peppery note. Finish: Warm and long, as the proof suggests. Splash: A few drops go a long way with the spicier notes - the oak really comes through. Overall: 9.5/10 - I've been lucky enough to try some truly great whiskeys lately, and this is no exception. Beam keeps hitting home runs with Little Book. I'm glad I managed to find one at all, and the price was too good to pass up.

Not all that much different from the 2025 Booker’s releases. Sweeter tasting notes and a long finish, this is what I would expect from Booker’s but it’s not different or better enough to justify buying it over one of the other 2025 Bookers releases.

The little book is the best one that I’ve had, it drinks every bit of 120 proof but somehow after the initial zing, it’s really quite nice. Does need a few drops kd water to open it up.

Another solid release of Little Book! Caramel and baking spices on the nose. The heat drowns out the flavor, ill let it open up a little more and come back to it