Booker’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
128 Proof
Price Point: $40 – $50 for 750 ML
Distiller: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Background
Everybody has an opinion. Even our relatives. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t. When I first started this blog, I posted a link to it on my Facebook. I got a comment from my Uncle Chris who lives out in California. He asked about my opinion on Knob Creek, and I said I wasn’t a huge fan. My credibility with him seemed to disappear. He asked if I had tried Booker’s, and I said no. Within a few days, I had a bottle in my possession, with the agreement that I would review.
This review’s for you, Uncle Chris.
Review
The nose is pretty intense at 64% alcohol. Once you get past the harshness, it’s very sweet, and at the same time very rye-heavy. A pretty good mix from the nose alone.
Booker’s packs on the flavor. It reminds me of Thomas H. Handy with the rye toned down slightly. It’s very big . . . and sweet. Not for the bourbon amateur. Despite sharing a pedigree with other Jim Beam products, there’s a heck of a lot more going on with this whiskey than the others.
Just like with Handy, the finish is long and warming.
Rating & Recommendations
I really like Booker’s, but I don’t rate it quite as high as many of my fellow bloggers. I give it a solid rating of 85 out of 100.
I don’t usually like to add water to bourbon, as you would some Scotches, as I feel it takes away more of the flavor. With Booker’s, you might feel the need to.
I have to say that although I don’t share all the same opinions with my Uncle Chris, I respect his taste in whiskey, and Booker’s is evidence of that.
-Ryan
3 pings
[…] small batch collection, with the other expressions being Baker’s, Knob Creek, and Booker’s. They are each unique in their own way with various ages and mash bills. They also differ in […]
[…] yourself, drink it with a mixer. No need to drink this stuff in the fashion of an Eagle Rare or Booker’s; clearly you are either on a budget or out of options at a friend’s […]
[…] of Jim Beam’s Small Batch Collection. Most recently, I have rated the behemoth that is Booker’s. Before that, I gave a middle-of-the-road rating to Knob Creek, and a very low rating to Basil […]