Bourbon

Booker’s “Pinkie’s Batch” 2022-04
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

6 Years, 10 Months, 10 Days
61.2% 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 Booker Noe’s dad, the original Frederick Booker Noe, better known as Pinkie to his family and friends. Although no one is quite sure where Pinkie’s nickname came from, he is remembered as someone who always followed his passions.

Most people thought Pinkie was in the bourbon business, which was a good assumption to make about someone in the Noe family, but he actually worked as the vice president of the local bank. That’s not to say he didn’t enjoy drinking bourbon – he actually was a big fan – but being a part of the bourbon business wasn’t his thing. When he wasn’t running the bank, Pinkie loved to golf and tried to play as often as possible. He was also an outdoorsman with a passion for hunting that he passed down to Booker.

Although some of Pinkie and Booker’s interests were different, the two would often bond over hunting quail and watching football, which brought them together at the end of the day. While enjoying “Pinkie’s Batch,” be sure to raise a glass to the original Frederick Booker Noe.

TASTING NOTES
Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Pinkie’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 unfiltered, this batch has the following characteristics:
PROOF: 122.4
AGE: 6 years, 10 months and 10 days
BATCH NOTES: Booker’s “Pinkie’s Batch” has a golden amber color and a balanced aroma of brown spice and vanilla notes. It has the rich vanilla taste Booker’s is often known for, with a lingering well-rounded finish.
SIPPING SUGGESTIONS: Booker’s “Pinkie’s Batch” is best enjoyed neat.

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, vanilla, oak, cocoa, peanut brittle with brown sugar, and a hint of graham cracker.
Palate: Caramel, cark chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long with cocoa, oak and a bit of pepper.
Comments:  I do admire the consistency of Booker’s, as well as getting that something a bit different from time to time. The note of graham cracker on the nose was unexpected, and I do enjoy that in bourbon. This takes water well, which won’t be a surprise to fans of Booker’s either.

Rating: Stands Out

Stellum Black Hunter’s Moon
Cask Strength Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

57.76% ABV
$100
Website

We would like to thank Stellum Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

This warm, oak driven bourbon is made in preparation for winter, inspired by the Hunter’s Moon of October. It is marked by a high rye spice and a robust woodiness meant for the time of year when days get shorter and the nights get longer.

TASTING NOTES
Color: Golden Caramel.
Nose: Very warm, rounded vanilla and butterscotch aromas initially, giving way to honeysuckle and ripened mango.
Palate: Bright cinnamon at first, leading into flamed orange peel, then savory, earthy notes of black plum and petrichor.
Finish: Sweet and upbeat medium finish that tapers off gracefully.

WITH A SPLASH OF WATER: The layer of fruity, floral aromas is activated with a splash of water. The nose gives ripe mango, coconut, and tangerine, the palate is toasted salted cashew and lemon balm, and the finish is longer and leaner, like a walk down a long dock at the beach.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, salted caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, honey, brown sugar, nutmeg and a bit of cherries.
Palate:  Thich mouthfeel, citrus forward with toasted orange zest, caramel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, honey, and pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderately long and damp with caramel, grapefruit, cinnamon and pepper.
Comments:  Very nice and spicy bourbon – almost reminds me of a rye whiskey with that citrus edge on the palate. Takes a bit of water well, adding a toffee note on the nose and bringing the chocolate out more on the palate.

Rating: Stands Out

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.

Rating: Stands Out