Individual Review: Booker's Bourbon - Tagalong Batch

Opening Statements (AKA Description of the Whiskey): Booker's Bourbon - Tagalong Batch is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof Small Batch Whiskey produced by James B. Beam Distilling Co. (more commonly referred to as Jim Beam). Booker's is one of the four whiskeys in Jim Beam Distillery's Small Batch Collection. It is also the highest proof whiskey in the collection. The others are Basil Hayden's, Knob Creek, and Baker's. Booker's is named after Fredrick Booker Noe II (aka "Booker Noe"), who was Jim Beam's grandson and the Master Distiller at the aforementioned distillery from 1965-1992. His namesake whiskey was born from his hand selecting of barrels to give as presents. As word of the gifted whiskey's quality spread, the distillery decided to bottle it for retail beginning in 1988. It was the first mass produced uncut and unfiltered bourbon. Booker's now has multiple batch releases every year consisting of varying barrels, proofs, and ages. This particular batch, the Tagalong Batch, is the second Booker's batch released in 2021. It consists of barrels from 6 different locations in the Jim Beam rickhouses (see below for the breakdown), the youngest of which is 6 years and 5 months. The current Mater Distiller at Jim Beam, Fred Noe, claims the batch is so named because it "celebrates the way my dad, Booker Noe, learned the ropes at the distillery - by 'tagging along' with his grandfather and my great grandfather, Jim Beam." Company: Beam Suntory Distillery: Jim Beam Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley Proof: 127.9 Age: 6 Years and 5 Months Barrel Composition of the Batch: - 4% came from the 3rd floor of 7-story warehouse 5 - 3% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse X - 13% came from the 5th floor of 9-story warehouse D - 33% came from the 6th floor of 9-story warehouse H - 40% came from the 7th floor of 9-story warehouse H - 7% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z Direct Examination (AKA Tasting Notes): Nose: Creamy Vanilla, Cinnamon Apple, Caramel, Dark Chocolate, and Strong Ethanol Palate: Vanilla, Dried Cherry, Caramel, Apple, and Strong Black Pepper Finish: Cinnamon Apple, Cherry, Bitter Oak, Dry Tobacco, and a Long Slow Burn Mouth Feel: Thick Length: Long

Cross Examination (AKA The Whiskey's Shortcomings): It has a slight unpleasant bitter oak note on the back end and the burn can be intense.

Closing Arguments (AKA Conclusions about the Whiskey): This is a delicious mix of decadently rich chocolate and vanilla, bright fruitiness, and oak. The only down side is the intense heat and the ever so small bitter note on the back end. However, the positives far outway the negatives. The balance of flavors is, for the most, superb. This is not a cheap bourbon. Booker's usually goes for about $100, but the quality here definitely matches the price. In fact, after getting my first bottle and cracking it, I immediately went back to the liquor store to get a back up. Admittedly this is the first bottle of Booker's that I have personally owned, but this definitely won't be my last. Every release of Booker's is different, but if this is any indication of a typical bottle, then I can't imagine going wrong purchasing with any of the editions.

Verdict: 8.25 Verdict Key: 10: I do not posses the vocabulary to adequately or accurately describe this masterpiece. It should not be be possible for man to create such art. 9: Incredible. Hoard this stuff. Paying secondary market prices is totally worth it. 8: A real pleasure to sip. Always try to have at least one bottle and a back up on hand. 7: A solid pour. Daily drinker for sure. Try to have a bottle on hand. 6: Would not say no to a pour if offered to me, but I won't go out of my way to find it. 5: Good to mix with a coke. 4: Swing and a miss. A mixer makes it tolerable. 3: Only if I had nothing else to drink in the house. 2: Was this made in a prison toilet? 1: This is the stuff the KGB used to slowly and painfully kill prisoners. 0: An abomination of epic proportions. Should not be called whiskey.