Booker’s “Tagalong Batch” Batch 2021-03
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
6 Years, 5 Months, 0 Days
62.75% ABV
$90
Website
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says:
The third release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2021 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2021-03 “Bardstown Batch.” This batch honors the homeplace of 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe along with several other generations of Beam family members.
Booker was born in Springfield, Kentucky, but spent a good amount of time in Bardstown visiting friends along with his grandfather, Jim Beam. After going to college, he moved to Bardstown full-time to join the family business. Booker lived in Bardstown for more than 50 years and was well known in the community for his infectious personality. He was the ultimate host, always inviting people over to the house for drinks and dinner parties. These events became well known across town, especially when Booker was serving his country ham that he would smoke right in the backyard – a practice he learned from his grandfather and one that 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe continues to this day.
Today, Fred Noe lives in the same house in Bardstown that his great-grandfather Jim Beam lived in, and 8th Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe is right next door with his own family. Though Bardstown may be called the Bourbon Capital of the World, to the Beam family this special place is simply home.
Booker’s “Bardstown Batch” has a matured amber color. The aroma contains brown sugar and caramel, balanced with bakery spice and wood sugar notes from the charred white oak barrels. The full-bodied taste will make it an ideal pour as the weather starts to turn crisp.
What Gary Says
Nose: Salted caramel, vanilla, charred oak, cocoa, leather and a bit of clove.
Palate: Warm caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, peanut brittle, dark chocolate, nutmeg and a hint of orange bitters.
Finish: Moderately long with oak, cocoa and a bit of pepper.
Comments: The unbroken streak continues – another really solid Booker’s batch. This one struck me as maybe a bit more oaky than the last few, but not having them on hand to subject to a blind side-by-side – I can’t say for sure. This takes water well, and thickens up nicely – tamping the oak notes a bit.