Bourbon

Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” 2023-01
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

7 Years, 1 Month, 8 Days
63.3% 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 in honor of Charlie Hutchens, the craftsman behind the signature wooden boxes that each bottle of Booker’s Bourbon comes in. He is also a longtime family friend and former employee of Booker Noe.

Charlie started his career working at the Booker Noe Distillery. During his time there, he was quite the storyteller and would entertain others throughout the workday. He would also pay close attention to the details and would do something over and over again until it was perfect – just like Booker did with his whiskey.

After several years, Charlie left the business to open his own cabinet shop with his brother. Charlie handcrafted the very first Booker’s Bourbon wooden boxes in his garage and has created the boxes for the brand since. He and his brother have expanded their business to create other fine wood products for different brands and projects in the Beam family, such as supplying custom furniture to the new Fred B. Noe Distillery – where Booker’s Bourbon is now distilled.

Charlie still lives near the Booker Noe Distillery and spends his free time fishing and vacationing with his family in South Carolina. Charlie was one of the first people to help make Booker’s Bourbon a recognizable brand, and Booker would be so excited to honor him with his very own batch.

TASTING NOTES
Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Charlie’s 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 unfiltered1, this batch has the following characteristics:
PROOF: 126.6
AGE: 7 years, 1 month and 8 days
BATCH NOTES: Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” has a well-aged amber color and a balanced aroma of oak, toasted nuts and vanilla notes without too much wood. It has a slightly warm taste with a pleasant finish.
SIPPING SUGGESTIONS: Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” is best enjoyed neat.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate, heavy dose of charred oak, peanut brittle, nutmeg and baked brownies.
Palate: Fudge brownies with caramel, peanuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, cracked pepper and a hint of anise.
Finish:  Moderately long with oak, caramel and trailing pepper spice.
Comments:  Great start to 2023; this batch reflects a solid, classic Booker’s experience.  Without having many previous batches for direct comparison, this seems to have a touch more oak – and more so on the nose than on the palate. Even with that, not what I’d call over-oaked by any means.  Just a rich, intense bourbon with all of those hallmark flavors you (or at least I) look forward to. I appreciate the story behind each batch (I’ve often wondered about the wooden boxes, thanks Charlie!)

Rating: Stands Out

Traverse City Whiskey Co. Sherry Barrel Finish
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

47.5% ABV
$60
Website

We would like to thank Traverse City Whiskey Co. and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Our high-rye bourbon was aged for more than five years in New American Oak Barrels. They are then finished for an additional nine months in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Barrels that were hand built in the Jerez Region of Sothern Spain.

• Nose: Caramel, sassafras (root beer), cinnamon, and raisins
• Body: Light and nutty; walnut, toasted almond, green cardamom, and a hint of vanilla bean
• Finish: Mild, toasted rye bread and tobacco

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, corn flakes, cocoa, soft oak, raisins and walnuts.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, nutty with caramel, cherries, vanilla, raisins, fruitcake, cinnamon and pepper.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with raisins and orange marmalade.
Comments:  Nicely balanced, with the sherry influence clearly there but not heavy handed (compared to the Port finish).  The nose has corn notes which normally are associated with a younger whiskey, but I expect this is due to the northern climate in which this was matured – as there aren’t any other ‘young’ notes. A bit of water brings out orange zest on the nose and orange cola on the palate.

Rating: Stands Out