I am a big Booker's fan in general. I have every batch from 2017-02 up 'til present review date available to me. I really like tasting them next to each other to find the nuances of each batch. I'm excited to keep learning about previous batches as well as new.
Company on Label: James B. Beam
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley
Proof: 125.3°
Age: 6 years
Further identification: 2021-01 Donohoe's Batch comes bearing a light blue label in a wooden box with a batch information card
Nose: White chocolate and white pepper are the first greeting. A light marshmallow toast is nestled in the oak. Much lighter than previous Booker's batches I've experienced. Bright linen. Light, fruity herbs. Something like an old spice cologne sits in a well-aged oak. A hint of dry hot chocolate mix and a bit of smoke lightly stings the nose. Definitely still dominated by the linen profile all through. A deep inhale brings one last enjoyable whiff of smooth pepper. Empty glass is a dry, yummy cocoa all the way through.
Nose: Hot cherry gets dropped into a spicy pool of allspice, lemongrass and caramel. Dried herbs and anise linger. This delivers a fair amount of proof without the usual flavors that follow it. There are hints of the peanut profile that flash out in the background but never fully materialize. More of the spices do show up alongside a dark, metallic note; cloves and caramel. A rising rush of thick caramel carries a hint of orange peel in the finish. Otherwise a rather low complexity Booker's batch, I still find it quite enjoyable. Definitely one for the spice fans; this one drinks much like a barrel proof rye with an air of unique linen draped over it.