Booker’s 30th Anniversary Bourbon
62.9% ABV
$200
Website
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distiller Says
Released in extremely limited quantities, Booker’s 30th Anniversary Bourbon features a mingling of uncut, unfiltered1 9-year-old and 16-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskies, which together present robust flavor with the brand’s signature notes of vanilla that Noe preferred in his namesake whiskey. Bottled at 125.8 proof, these barrels were aged specifically with Booker’s legacy in mind under the watchful eye of 7th Generation Master Distiller and Booker’s son, Fred Noe.
“It’s a great honor to release Booker’s 30th Anniversary in commemoration of my Dad and the path he paved when he introduced the world to Booker’s Bourbon,” said Fred Noe. “When we first started talking about an anniversary batch, I knew it would have to be something special, and during my final tasting of this extra aged liquid, I knew Dad would have been pleased. I’m proud to carry on his legacy every day and to share this special release in honor of the damn fine whiskey he created 30 years ago.”
In the late 1980’s, Booker Noe set out to create his version of the perfect whiskey – one that offered a full-bodied taste profile, aged between six and eight years, bottled at its natural proof with robust flavors of vanilla. What started as a personal, holiday gift that Booker would share with close family and friends turned into one of the industry’s most influential super premium bourbons. To this day, Booker’s Bourbon is considered by many, the industry’s first small batch bourbon which contributed to the bourbon movement our industry still enjoys today.
A robust and powerful bourbon, Booker’s 30th Anniversary is itself a reflection of Booker, the man. His legacy is also honored in the details of the packaging. Each bottle of Booker’s 30th Anniversary is topped with a special silver wax then packaged beautifully in a box made of reclaimed wood from the very rackhouses where Booker once walked as he selected his personal batches of Booker’s Bourbon.
Like all Booker’s releases, Fred Noe carefully watched over and selected the barrels for this release, which is presented with the following characteristics:
Proof: 125.8
Age: 70% 9 year-old-whiskey, 30% 16-year-old whiskey
Tasting Notes: The taste profile of this bourbon is lighter than most batches of Booker’s, with a quick, dry finish that does not overpower your palate, and offers robust notes of vanilla and oak from the mingling of whiskies present in this release.
Sipping Suggestions: Booker’s 30th Anniversary is best enjoyed neat, over ice or with a few drops of water.
1Booker’s® Bourbon is quality screened to remove only pieces of charred barrel wood from the liquid.
What Gary Says
Nose: Musty oak, chocolate cake w/ dark chocolate bits, vanilla, and a caramel drizzle; notes of chocolate-covered cherries with just a hint of cinnamon.
Palate: Rich, warm, chocolate and molasses ginger-snap cookies, nutty with some smoke, baking spices, and oak; takes water well – softens it nicely and the caramel shines through more with vanilla.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with smoke and allspice notes.
Comments: I’ll admit that I’m not a fan of oak-bombs, so I was a bit apprehensive about how this might turn out with 30% spending 16 years in the oak. Booker’s isn’t typically oak-heavy in terms of profile, and they did a nice job of keeping this limited release on target. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t “just like Booker’s”; it definitely has a bit more oak, and is more mature; maybe a tad less sweetness on balance but with more complexity and spice. And not over-oaked in the least (which if you’re a fan of oak-bombs, sorry). Quite well balanced, and the reclaimed wood from the rackhouses is a nice touch if you’re a collector. I wish it wasn’t $200, but with the market for limited edition bourbon, I don’t think I could legitimately complain about the pricing.