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. This is the latest and greatest as of now; let's find out if it's worth having on your bar while you can still find it in stores.
Company on Label: James B. Beam
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley
Proof: 127.9°
Age: 6 years
Further identification: 2021-02 Tagalong Batch comes bearing a light green label in a wooden box with a batch information card
Nose: Smooth vanilla dryness lays over a well aged oak. Deep pulls of paper dry cherry. Raisins, including the box (thank you SunMaid). Some fun vegetal notes sneaking in now. Earthy like a potato skin. Wow, tart apricot swings in with big syrupy power, finally defeating the dryness present early on. The vanilla stays present but mixes with the stone fruit medium sweetness, so it noses differently now. Almost presents with some citrus, but I think it's more of an herbal artifact like rubbed sage and mint. These notes are very subtle though behind the vanilla and oak dominant profile. This also has some of the peanuts of Granny's Batch, but also maybe some hints of walnut and dry paper. Late/low in the glass things adopt a strong dark chocolate, orange peel zest and a lovely return of the first note: vanilla.
Palate: Immediately a pool of sweet apricot & cherry forms & lingers impossibly long. Strong mouth coating is thick like cold molasses. Some cinnamon bite in the back, but waves of fruit, vanilla, toasted oak and burnt sugar power through. This might be close to one of my favorite Booker's profiles. I'm more inclined to sip and enjoy than sit and take notes, that's a sure sign of a good pour. Another taste produces a big pepper note that pops on a caramel bubble, releasing all of the slightly tannic plum and apricot. Each sip really follows that sizzle, pop and then waves of deliciousness behavior. This is exactly how tasting an uncut whiskey should go. Yum. As this opens more it does start to develop that peanut profile, which I like.
Rating: 4/5
