Gary

Booker’s “Jimmy’s Batch” 2024-04
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

7 Years, 9 Months, 19 Days
62.9% ABV
$100
Website

We would like to thank Beam Suntory and SAVONA COMMUNICATIONS for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

The fourth release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2024 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2024-04 “Jimmy’s Batch.” This batch is named in honor of Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, living legend for bourbon lovers everywhere, and one of my dad’s dearest peers, competitors, and most importantly friends. Jimmy was like a second father to me after dad passed away, and I’ve learned a hell of a lot from him over the years. There are many life lessons to thank him for, but here are a few that stand out to me.

Once at a bourbon festival, Jimmy came up to Dad and me and poured out three glasses of a whiskey he wanted us to taste. It was some real nice stuff, and when Dad asked what it was, Jimmy said it was something new he was working on, something special. I thought it was pretty cool to bring a new product to a competitor and ask what they think. It showed me the importance of trust and camaraderie, and just how much those old timers respected each other.

The other big thing Jimmy taught me was to treat everybody like I wanted to be treated. When we went to events at bars or liquor stores, he always stayed late to make sure everyone got their picture taken and their bottle signed. It’s easy to take for granted that we get to do what we do because of the people that stand in line for our whiskey, but Jimmy never did.

Just like Dad, there are few things Jimmy loves more than a damn good bottle of bourbon. So, cheers to him and the mentorship he’s given me through thick and thin all these years. I hope you get to share a glass with company as good and true as Jimmy.
— FRED NOE, BEAM FAMILY 7TH GENERATION MASTER DISTILLER

MASTER DISTILLER’S NOTES
The fourth and final batch of Booker’s Bourbon for 2024 is a tribute to a cherished friend of the Noe family, Jimmy Russel. A close friend to my dad and a second father figure to me since my dad’s passing in 2004. The breakdown of this batch is as follows:
• 12% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z
• 20% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse 1
• 46% came from the 3rd floor of 7-story warehouse 3
• 22% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse Q

This batch was made up of 3 production dates stored in 4 different warehouses. It stands at 125.8 proof and the age is 7 years, 9 months, and 19 days. It boasts a rich amber color shaped by the charred white oak barrels it aged in until the barrels were dumped. I first tasted this batch at my kitchen table, and its aroma filled the whole room. That first sip is sweet and smooth, and the way the vanilla notes mixes with the brown spice notes is just right- inviting you in for another taste. The finish is very pleasant and relaxing in taste.

I am really proud to put this batch together for Jimmy, and I know my dad would have loved seeing a batch of his namesake bourbon dedicated to his great friend.

TASTING NOTES
Color: Deep Amber
Taste: Sweet and Smooth
Aroma: Vanilla, Brown Spices
Finish: Pleasant and Relaxing

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, vanilla, oak, brown sugar and a hint of peanut brittle.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, bit of dark chocolate followed by pepper.
Finish: Moderately long with oak, cocoa and pepper spice.
Comments: This is a solid Booker’s batch, squarely in the brand profile. The cinnamon note seems to be turned up more than usual, although that certainly could be more me than the whiskey (don’t get me wrong – this isn’t “off brand” by any means). The relationship that Jimmy and Booker had (and that Jimmy and Fred have, and many of the other great master distillers in Kentucky) truly does set this industry apart from most. From many of them helping Heaven Hill following that tragic fire in 1996 to countless other stories; I’ve witnessed the comradery first hand at many a Bourbon Festival and in the stories they generously share of growing up knowing one another.

Rating: Stands Out

New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon

Distilled February 2019, Bottled March 2023
Barrel 17082
57.7% ABV
$50
Website

What the Distillery Says

BARREL PROOF WITHOUT CHILL FILTRATION
AGED AT LEAST 4 YEARS
HIGH RYE MASH BILL – 30 % RYE

New Riff Distilling’s core Bourbon expression is a genuinely high-rye, full bodied whiskey offering savory, spicy character, bottled at Barrel Proof without Chill Filtration. Featuring a mash bill of non-GMO grains at 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley, it represents a new riff on Kentucky’s most hallowed whiskey traditions. Aged four years in 53-gallon toasted and charred new oak barrels, there are no shortcuts taken in our production. All New Riff whiskeys are made with the full sour mash Kentucky Regimen; all carry an age statement, and are always bottled without chill filtration.

At New Riff, single barrel expressions are a way of life. As former Kentucky liquor retailers, we are intimately familiar with some of Kentucky’s most famed private barrel Bourbon selections ever, and we bring that experience to New Riff. A New Riff Private Barrel selection, whether for trade or private clients, offers an unparalleled experience, replete with tasting notes and an immersive process in our warehouse. Each New Riff single barrel has been tasted and approved by our production panel. Our retail and on-premise partners then select each of their private barrels themselves. In the end, you can taste a New Riff Single Barrel knowing it was fully vetted and thoroughly tasted and approved.

TASTING NOTES
While each Single Barrel owns its specific flavor profile, New Riff Bourbon generally shows big and spicy flavors. This is not a light, delicate, simple whiskey—we have crafted for robust and fulsome flavor from start to finish. Our unfiltered bottling regimen allows all the character of the barrel to shine through in the glass.

Aroma: Polished, dark brown sugar, char, cherries
Palate: Dark cocoa, dark fruit, fruity, cherries

What Gary Says

Nose:  Salted caramel, charred oak, vanilla, molasses, cherries, dark chocolate, raw walnuts.
Palate:  Bitter dark chocolate, pepper spice (almost chili oil), caramel, cinnamon and walnuts.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with pepper spice, chocolate and cinnamon.
Comments:  There’s a lot of variation in single barrel bourbon, so I don’t necessarily review every one I try. This one was unique in that the first/last New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon I had reviewed was bottled in 2019, and this one was distilled in 2019. Also, a friend brought it to a whiskey tasting where a couple other folks who tried it claimed it “wrecked their palates” (which in my experience is a claim usually associated with a super peaty/smoky scotch). Now this is odd – with a strong pepper bite tending towards chili oil. That can be off putting but it didn’t wreck my palate; and I found that a bit of water tamped it down completely, bringing out notes of leather on the nose and leaving the dark chocolate notes on the palate less bitter. Kevin allowed me to take what was left in the bottle to review and share, although having been sold a year and a half earlier – unlikely you’ll run across it on a shelf.

Rating: Stands Out