Booker’s “Noe Strangers Batch” 2021-04
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
6 Years, 6 Months, 12 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 final release in the Booker’s® Bourbon 2021 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2021-04 ‘Noe Strangers Batch.’ This batch celebrates the genuine, social nature of 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe, and the way he could turn a stranger into a friend for life in no time.
Booker’s way of making friends was second nature to him. When Booker took a liking to the products that a salesman was selling, he would call his wife and say, “Set an extra plate at the table, I’m inviting this salesman to dinner!” In another instance, Booker was invited to a rally for the Blue Knights® Motorcycle Club, an international brotherhood of active and retired law enforcement officers who share a passion for motorcycle riding. There he struck up a conversation with some of the members, and the next day, he invited more than 300 of them over for lunch. His knack for making friends carried into his work as well. In Kentucky and out on the road, Booker wouldn’t leave an event until he shook hands with everyone that wanted to talk to him. And just like that, after shaking hands and a quick conversation, they’d become a fan – and a friend – for life.
Booker taught his son, 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe, to ‘treat others how he would want to be treated’ — a lesson that the Noe family holds true to this day. Like they always say at the distillery: come as friends, leave as family.
Booker’s “Noe Strangers Batch” has a nice color coming from the time it rested in charred white oak barrels. The aroma has vanilla and brown spice, with a sweetness that continues upon the first sip. The initial heat isn’t overwhelming and leaves a taste that’s balanced with a long and warm finish, perfect for the colder months ahead.
What Gary Says
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate, oak, slightly burnt peanut brittle and baking spices.
Palate: Chocolate brownies, caramel, peanut butter, vanilla, honey, cinnamon and cracked pepper.
Finish: Moderately long with oak, cocoa and pepper spice.
Comments: I’ve lost count at this point, but this is another really solid Booker’s batch1. It could be just the holidays, but I got more peanut brittle/butter than I usually do – but don’t have a line-up to side-by-side (just comparing my notes from prior batches). This also takes water well, keeping a thick mouthfeel and tamping the pepper spice while keeping that gooey caramel goodness.
Rating: Stands Out
1Full disclosure – I have had a batch of Booker’s that I didn’t care for. I’m not 100% certain of the details (can’t find my notes), but remember my rationale for buying it. Batch C07-A-12 back in 2014 was higher proof than normal (130.4) and older than you typically see (7 years, 8 months). Coming after the first roundtable batch (2013-6) which was the best batch of Booker’s I’d had (at that point), I thought that more proof AND age must make this even better, right! Wrong. But I digress – my point being that in recent years, while some have griped about the age dropping from what it once was (typically over 7 yrs old), I think that the consistency has improved while maintaining a solid, quality barrel proof bourbon. – and the quality has been solid.