Booker’s “Kentucky Tea Batch” 2022-03
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
7 Years, 4 Months, 14 Days
63.25% ABV
$90
Website
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says:
This batch is named after Booker Noe’s signature drink, which he fondly referred to as Kentucky Tea. As one could imagine, Booker loved the flavor of bourbon, especially his namesake brand, Booker’s Bourbon. Since the flavor still pulls through when mixed with water, Booker would add one part bourbon to four parts water and enjoy his Kentucky Tea with dinner.
One night, when a reporter was at Booker’s house for supper, he asked why he drank Kentucky Tea. Booker shared that there was no reason to flavor his water with tea leaves when he could flavor his water with bourbon. It was that simple – Kentucky Tea was his drink. He would drink it with a country ham or fish dinner and would talk about how the flavor notes of the Kentucky Tea was a perfect complement to the food.
TASTING NOTES
Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Kentucky Tea Batch” was selected by Seventh Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe to ensure it upholds the qualities and standards that his dad set for Booker’s Bourbon more than 30 years ago. Uncut and unfiltered, this batch has the following characteristics:
PROOF: 126.5
AGE: 7 years, 4 months and 14 days
BATCH NOTES: Booker’s “Kentucky Tea Batch” has a golden amber color and a dark, sweet vanilla aroma. It has a rich sweet vanilla taste with a lingering finish.
SIPPING SUGGESTIONS: Booker’s “Kentucky Tea” is best enjoyed neat.
What Gary Says
Nose: Rich with caramel, vanilla, oak, peanut brittle, cocoa, cinnamon, bit of clove and brown sugar.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with burnt brownie corners, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, peanut brittle, bit of citrus.
Finish: Moderately long with oak, caramel and pepper spice notes.
Comments: Another truly classic Booker’s, and the streak continues with it being many years since I’ve had a batch I didn’t care much for. I’m really encouraged to see the age creeping up, although age isn’t everything. I don’t have prior batches to do a true blind side-by-side with, but there were some that were a bit younger in the last couple of years I personally enjoyed better – which isn’t to throw shade at this batch. If you have had Booker’s before and enjoyed it, this won’t disappoint. I’m not afraid to throw a little water at a bourbon; many benefit from at least a few drops – and some more than that. Others can fall apart. Honestly, I expected to really not like ‘Kentucky Tea’ with 4x water than bourbon, but it surprised me. It gives that hint of bourbon flavor, and if you make a tall glass (like 8oz water, 2 oz bourbon), I could see that being dangerous. You definitely lose the complexity and nuance, so not sure I’d personally use Booker’s for this recipe, but I’m glad I tried it.
Easy peasy