It's no surprise I've got another Booker's batch ready for review... These things come out 4 times a year normally - the most recent exception being 2020 which only featured 3. I won't wax poetic on the history of the brand as I believe I have covered that well in previous posts, but I think many have noticed the price continuing to creep up these days. I don't normally discuss price point as everyone's buying power is a little different, so I'll leave 'worth' for you to decide based on my notes. The Booker's website describes the makeup of the blend well: 2% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse X 3% came from the 3rd floor of 7-story warehouse 5 3% came from the 4th floor of 9-story warehouse D 17% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse Z 19% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Q 28% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse 1 28% came from the 6th floor of 7-story warehouse Z Now let's get into another Booker's review ... could this be amongst one of the greats? Let's find out. Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 124.8° Age: 7 years (1 months, 7 days) Further identification: 2022-02 The Lumberyard Batch comes bearing a light green label in a wooden box with a batch information card Nose: Mmm. A savory blend of salted caramel, molasses and dark walnut greets my nose upfront. It's not quite savory like Country Ham, but more so savory like more traditionally nutty batches. It's distinctly wood forward balanced by softer textures like buttery pecans, toffee and dark forest soil. Vanilla comes across slightly drying. Deep inhales bring up small flashes of lemon peel and brown sugar. Let's have a sip! Coming back to the glass I notice a new layer of leather that doesn't quite suggest a complete, higher aged bourbon, but a great balanced freshness. It suggests there might be some exceptional whiskey in here but it's been blended for volume (quite well from what I've gathered thus far). It feels both traditional and quite unique for its category. The darker earthy tones that support the tame yet funky oak do really well here. It's not infinitely layered, but it does a few things really well here. The volume is just right and every inhale produces something appealing whether it be vanilla, molasses or those delicious buttered pecans. It feels like a delicious bar snack in a glass! Late in the glass the earthy tones return well - it reminds me of being out in the woods in the Fall, an activity I truly try to maximize every year. The empty glass smells potent with layers of wood dominating with an earthy funk that is unmatched in modern whiskey. Smoked peanuts trail off as the last vapors of the pour expire. Palate: Right away I notice a cooling mouth feel of tingly lemon zest. It is followed by a sweeping wave of brown sugar, molasses and tame oak. It is distinctly sweeter than I would expect out of a Booker's batch with a hint of that first bite of a fresh, juicy apple. Another sip and swish brings in cherry skins, a slight tinge of cinnamon, a large dose of a comfortable Kentucky hug through the chest, and a shimmering linger of fruit and nut bars. Oh wow - about halfway through the glass strawberry flavors burst forth producing a nice fruit parfait experience. All these sweet notes are balanced well by a bready base of granola, nutty brown sugar cookie, and graham cracker. A larger sip and swish allows me to find raisin, raspberry and malted caramel ice cream. My last sip is a sweet return to the cherry skins and that juicy bite of an apple. The linger is long and tingling with just a hint of sweet grape effervescence behind a strong wave of vanilla. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) Everything here produced completely satisfying experiences, though I struggled to find exceptional depth which kept it out of the 5 category for me. In context to previous batches this one definitely stands out in my mind as being one of the better ones. I'd put it in the same league as Bardstown Batch and Tagalong Batch. Cheers!

Company on Label: Heaven Hill Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 120° Age: 10 years Further identification: Purchased in 2020 Nose: Bright vanilla along with It makes for a lighter aroma; something airy and promising.

With over 100 years of combined experience between Wild Turkey Master Distillers Jimmy Russell, Eddie Accoutrements aside, what if I told you that you could buy 18 bottles of Wild Turkey 101 for the same I think Wild Turkey 101 bourbon drinks just as wonderful as this does, with distinctly different flavors my whiskey for all that it can offer, I'll still enjoy the heck out of my $25 bottle of Wild Turkey 101

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%

I don't typically go for things that are part of a series, but I was offered this one at a fair price so I figured I'd give it a whirl. I have become more and more of a fan of brandy from all over, so this Calvados finish definitely caught my eye as well. I actually sprung for this bottle over the Yellowstone Limited Edition that is being released now too under a Marsala Superiore cask finish label. Let's see what John Rempe has been up to with this one! Company on Label: (Bottled for) Lux Row Distillers Whiskey Type: Finished Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed 'ryed bourbon' mash bill Proof: 98.6° Age: 8 years (blend of 14, 11 and 8 year) Further identification: This Pact No. 8 release of Blood Oath is finished in Calvados casks; it bears the date 2/14/2022 on its front label; the neck band reads "MMXXII" which in Roman numerals converts to "2022" Nose: Sugary sweet nougat upfront with herbal tones hiding underneath. Mellow leather hangs softly in a balanced hammock of oak and twine. Deep inhales spring forth floral vanilla and honeysuckle. I definitely find this to nose higher in age but the oak influence is balanced well with fresh anjou pear. A swirl of the glass unlocks traditional bourbon molasses and pepper. Dry, old newspaper aromas rise from the disturbed liquid. The aromas remind me of an old fireplace in a long-forgotten home dearly overdue for a chimney sweep. Nougat sweetness returns over a bed of almond, cashew and pecan. I find a good bit of malty funk as the glass opens up. Time for a sip. Coming back to the nose I find that is has turned even softer with buttery characteristics building well. More of the oak is beginning to shine through and I find it in nuanced layers, indicative of the broad blend that formed this whiskey. My nose still seems to tell me that the older bourbon is really shining first and foremost. Overall it is bright, light, and incredibly enjoyable on the nose. The empty glass smells of peanut butter, creamy bread pudding, and funky smoke. Palate: Right away the sweetness shocks my teeth. Light overall with caramel and neapolitan wafers up front. I'm left impressed but perplexed at first; likely some characteristic of the Calvados finish I haven't quite placed yet. Coming back for a second sip reveals lovely soft tea, a bright & tart plum, and a shimmering vanilla. The mouthfeel is a unique mix of a creamy coating and a tart grenache with slight acidity. The linger is distinctly cookie-like, almost leaning towards a Nilla wafer. Continuing to sip through this I find more soft, candied fruits delivering in one swift punch, leaving their soft-skinned imprints on my tongue. Sweet apple builds in increasing intensity after each sip. A bigger sip and swish reveals a nice shimmer of allspice and light cinnamon. Getting lower in the glass I begin to find a few tannic notes that start to build alongside really subtle clove and soft metallics. This settles with time into a completely enjoyable medley of several chocolate variants. The liquid and the linger feels cool in the mouth. My last sip is lively with pear coming through again, a tingle of cinnamon in the center of my tongue and then a juicy burst of cherry & fig on the follow through. I am left well satisfied from the sip as my first glass of the day, though the finish could certainly linger a little longer for me to further enjoy the lovely profile it imbued upon me. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) I found this to be incredibly unique and very well crafted. Fans of sweeter sips, white wine, cider or Calvados will definitely enjoy the extra notes the finish imparted without covering up what tastes to be a great base whiskey blend. This didn't quite have the wow factor to earn my 5 score, but a 4 is high praise for me nonetheless. I think this did everything that it said it was going to do based on the information they provide; it tastes like a well aged bourbon with all the hallmarks of what Calvados should have imparted. Well done. I'm going to thoroughly enjoy tasting through the rest of this bottle with family and friends!

Alright! I'm finally digging into another community sample. This Russell's pick basically jumped into my hand so I thought it was meant to be. This sample comes courtesy of Vin (@bourbonspirits) and I thank him for his generosity and kindness in the whiskey community! I'm no stranger to Russell's picks... Let's see how this one tastes! Company on Label: Wild Turkey Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 110° Age: Not listed, but likely somewhere near 9 years Further identification: This West Islip Wine & Liquors store pick Barrel 20-0945 that came with a neck tag from Warehouse G, Floor 4 Nose: Dusty & bright upfront. Hints of peanut brittle come up and greet me. Floral perfumes and vanilla tangle together. Time for a sip! After coming back from taking a drink I find the candy tones from the palate transfer well. Creamy caramel and black treacle build on deep inhales. The empty glass smells of lovely tiramisu and noble oak. Palate: My first sip puts off a beautiful cherry sweetness. The soft wave of florals and candy that follow are a delectable treat. Strawberry cereal and nerdz candy do well here. It drinks just a touch hot for 110 which is surprising, but not unwelcome. As the glass gets lower the creamier tones begin to take over. There's a lovely buttery mouth coating on this. My last sip is another sweet treat of black pepper, raisin, maraschino cherry and mixed berry pie. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) And that is the truest use of that rating I can imagine! My shelf is chock full of Russell's picks and I could easily see this one being amongst some of my favorites.

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10% ) Proof: 90° Age: 10 years Further identification: Muckey's Liquors Store Pick Nose: Synthetic spice

I'm back on the Willett train again tonight - quite fitting for the trendy #WillettWednesday movement on Instagram. I've previously tasted this one on the fresh crack but I'm here to revisit and offer some deeper thoughts than some front porch ramblings. Speaking of ramblings... I think I'll just get right into the whiskey now. Let's go! Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 13% Rye, 15% Malted Barley Proof: 119.2° Age: 8 years Further identification: This is a Dion's single barrel #8147 that I purchased in August of 2022; one of the store managers told me that this is an OG mash bill; this barrel yielded 208 bottles and I am drinking from my lucky number bottle #9 Nose: Funky, heavy caramel greets my nose first and foremost. Bright oak, paper and vanilla mingle gently on a deeper inhale. It noses light like the proof point might suggest. Mmm, a deeper dive of the nose produces candied cherry, plum and creamy, viscous grape clafoutis. Wow, a big shockwave of oak just emanated from the glass. Now I get much more dusty tones, ground black pepper, green pepper, saffron and cardamom. There are hints of chocolate throughout and always the sumptuous fruit we started with as the glass opened to an inquisitive nose. Time to go in for a sip! Returning my nose to the glass I begin to find graham cracker and quite the big wave of impassable dusty vanilla. I continue to beat my nose against this wall of dusty, bright characteristics but it keeps turning me nose-blind at every attempt. Thanksgiving cooking herbs begin to settle in alongside the black pepper notes later in the glass. Think parsley, thyme, rosemary and sage in an intricate introductory wave as if you've just stepped in the door to a home that is cooking, making you keenly aware of the presence of good food. Wow, this funky fun just keeps on producing; now I'm onto a creamy gingerbread with a butterscotch sauce. It's buttery and delectable now. I wasn't quite hooked until now... but now I certainly am. A deep inhale as the glass nears empty shows off more of the funky barrel influence that comes out of nowhere other than Bardstown, Kentucky. It's the oak, but it's also a unique blend of citrus and clove. The empty glass smells of open plains, milk chocolate, soft cornfields, and just a hint of pleasant rubber. Palate: Whew, where the nose started light, this starts with a bang! Cherry hots sizzle on the top of the tongue as a soft, juicy pear and grapefruit co-mingle in the background. Another sip builds in a touch of lemon peel, tingling bright vanilla and sweet kiwi frozen yogurt. Overall I get a similar herbal mouth feel to a sip of cooled tea. A good sip and swish produces a great cherry sweetness that is quickly laden with clove, molasses, raisin and a heavy red raspberry jam. This is truly a delight to sip on; the sweet fruit mingle perfectly as a well aged barrel should. I find a brief zing of lemon and ginger that darts across my tongue. It at times has the spice and heft of whiskeys beyond its age and proof. As I sip towards the bottom of the glass the cherry turns a touch darker now ditching the candied cherry facade for a rich, ripe black cherry. There is a slightly tannic linger up in the gums. It's as if you've had a bottle of red wine with dinner and you're just now aware that your teeth may be stained as you search nervously with your tongue. My last sip of the glass produces a big wave of plum, raisin, blackberries and caramel. The mouth feel is thicker now more than ever as the sips build upon each other. The linger is medium with a soft draw down from a slightly earthy caramel bar. Rating: 5/5 Though this one falls just short of a true 'wow' factor whiskey for me, I did completely enjoy every moment of this glass. While I wouldn't put this in my top 5: this definitely earns a 'Keep Amongst the Whiskey' rating from me, and I am very glad to have plenty more to share with guests, as well as a backup bottle that I am going to be sharing with Spirit Animal Society Patreons. I really tossed and turned between the 5 rating here, writing it and scribbling it out in digital form with the backspace key countless times. Because I couldn't quite place why it doesn't deserve a 5, I inevitably settled on that score here. This distillate, these flavors, and the pours that also have previously ranked at a 5 are all present. I was also willing to pour another 2 small sips after finishing my review to settle the score, so this is definitely an enjoyable whiskey through and through. Based on my experience I would anticipate that this whiskey will drink even better come Winter in New England. Cheers to a great pick Dion's & cheers to the great distillate and skill coming out of Willett Distillery.

We are going to keep the Willett train rolling today! I had enough of a break for my palate to reset for this review. I mentioned in my previous OG mash bill review that high corn has not typically been my jam... I'll try my best to put that preconception away as I walk into this one so I can give it a fair shake. I will be tasting this out of a Willett taster glass (kenzie style). Anyway - this is another great pour courtesy of Matt - appreciate you sharing my friend. Let's review! Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 79% Corn, 7% Rye, 14% Malted Barley Proof: 125° Age: 7 years Further identification: This is a Bob's Lake City Liquors single barrel #2015 that was sample swapped to me from @rarewhiskeynomad; Based on the Blake's Willett mash bill breakdown this is a high corn + high entry proof mash; this barrel yielded 213 bottles Nose: Upfront I find a lot of breadiness and a touch of caramel on the nose. Soft hints of cherry are there but barely perceptible. Longer inhales start to build floral spices in waves. It comes off very bright without any of the nose-sting that usually comes with spices. I get an old warship metal aroma that reminds me of Battleship Cove (a maritime museum and war memorial in MA). Light white chocolate and oak bark aromas are nice here but I get the feeling like there almost isn't even any alcohol in this glass with how light the nose is. The most consistent aroma I find is a dark rye bread. Time for a sip - I'm hoping for some more intensity here! The nose feels relatively unchanged from the first sip aside from perhaps a little bit of the orange sweetness now being apparent atop the bready base. I certainly like the nose, I just wish it had a volume knob I could turn up past the manufacturers recommended settings. The empty glass smells of vanilla frosting. Palate: My first sip shows off a nice burst of flavor with sweet orange peel backdropped by a minty caramel concoction. Another sip shows off Angostura bitters, grape skins and tart, tannic raisins. The mouth feel is thick and sticky with a long linger of that dark red berry characteristic with a nutty undertone. I am surprised with how fruit forward the palate is with how muted the early nose felt. Small flashes of peanut butter can be drummed up from the depths of this glass. Cherry hots and peach preserves sitting atop Thanksgiving herbs and spices give this a really unique profile that I am really digging. Sage, rosemary and black pepper are the few that come to mind from that experience. Yum. I get a lot of old fashioned cocktail vibes from this on the palate now. I love a neat pour that can do that. The linger is long yet nondescript, but overall incredibly satisfying. The fruitiness continues to stick around as the syrupy cherry sweetness fades into an array of almonds, dates and pie crust. My last sip is just the right amount of sweet balanced by very light oak and a black pepper laden molasses. When I think about where this barrel takes me I envision it is one that was stored peacefully on a low floor of one of the Willett rick houses. Rating: 4/5 This was so much less funky than the other high corn bourbon I have and it was such a welcome change! I am willing to look past a very lackluster nosing experience because of how good the palate was. I was skeptical on my first sip when the minty note came out, but I am glad to have tried this one for sure, but also I'm not kicking myself for not having the rest of a bottle to enjoy personally. Remember to share the good stuff when you can! Cheers. Oh also... I found a really interesting read about the smell of warships if you'd care to hear a much better story than my visit to a maritime museum.

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%