Exploring Whiskey Responsibly
S02E03 WftA – Reflecting on 30 Bourbons in 30 Days
In this episode we reflect on our recent whiskey exploits during the 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge. We also give our take on whiskey related news stories which have passed over our desks in the past couple of weeks. Tap now to listen!
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S02E03 WftA – Reflecting on 30 Bourbons in 30 Days
Brian’s Booker’s 2023-02 Apprentice Batch Review:
reviewed 30-September-2023
Booker’s 2023-02 Apprentice Batch (Apprentice Batch) combines many of its aromatic and flavor traits. Warm alcohol and earthy notes combine with fruits, spices, sweets and heavy oak to make this a delicious pour. Its creamy mouthfeel turns oily the longer it is held and its wood forward aromas, flavors and finish tick all my boxes. Pour me another two fingers please.
Category: Small Batch Bourbon
Region: Clermont, Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam, Master Distiller Fred Noe
Small Batch: 2023-02 Apprentice Batch
Mash bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Casks: New Charred Oak
Barrel Char: #4
Barrel Entry Proof: 125
Age: 7 Years 1 Month 2 Days
ABV: 62.75% (125.5 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16906
Fair Price: $114.68 (BoozApp, August 2023)
Paid: $89.95
This batch is made up of barrels that were aged in six different warehouses. The breakdown of barrel storage for Booker’s “Apprentice Batch” is as follows:
7% came from the 7th floor of 9-story warehouse H
9% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse W
11% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse 1
18% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse O
19% came from the 4th floor of 9-story warehouse G
36% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse Z
The liquid is a medium amber color from the seven years spent aging in the white oak barrels. The oak-forward aroma is well-balanced with notes of vanilla and toasted nuts, and all together the result is really pleasant. After the first sip, you’ll find the long finish doesn’t overpower the warm taste. I know Carl and Booker would’ve been proud of this batch and enjoyed it together after a long day’s work at the distillery.
The second release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2023 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2023-02 “Apprentice Batch.” This batch pays homage to the early days of my dad Booker Noe’s career – far before he was the Sixth Generation Master Distiller – when he first learned the art of making bourbon under the guidance of his cousin Carl Beam.
When Booker started working at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont in 1952, Carl became like a mentor to him. Back then, they didn’t have official titles like Master Distiller, but everyone knew Carl was in charge. He didn’t put up with any foolishness and made sure Booker was set straight. But even if Booker did mess around sometimes, he was a fast learner and was ready to be put to work, and that quickly got him Carl’s approval.
Two years after Booker started, we purchased a distillery in Boston, KY to increase our production capabilities. Carl and Booker worked closely together to get it up and running, and eventually, Carl handed the reins over to Booker. This is where he was able to experiment and master the bourbon- making process, and later on, the location was renamed the Booker Noe Distillery.
Carl showed Booker the ropes at the distillery, but from there, his approach was sink or swim and it was just the push Booker needed. His apprenticeship under Carl helped him become the Master Distiller and legendary innovator we all remember him as today.
— Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller
Learn more at Booker’s Bourbon.
On Day 30, the last day of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, the first one and a half ounces of the newly opened bottle mixed with the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, by alternating the pours, four once review amounts went into a Glencairn and a Weck. After posting on social media, my daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat as I prepared this review. About 30 minutes had gone by before my first sip.
The first wafts of Apprentice Batch provide a blend of warm alcohol and noticeable ethanol. Nosing on, earthy notes of dried field corn and dusty grain add a rustic aroma. In the mix, I sense berry nectar, with hints of maraschino cherry, currants, plum, and fig fruit leather. Then, cinnamon and nutmeg add gentle spice to the fruit bouquet, along with the comforting aroma of rye toast. With contemplative nosing, light vanilla notes blend with simple syrup, brown sugar, and woody caramel with roasted hazelnuts nearly hidden in the mix. Additional nosing confirms the pour is wood-forward, with heavy and strong oak, barrel tannins and smoky-sweet char, giving the aroma depth. For the finishing touch, there’s a subtle hint of leather-bound books to ground the scent.
The first sip of Apprentice Batch greets with alcohol warmth followed by roasted corn and dusty grain. In the nexy few sips, I taste allspice, nutmeg, and rye in a cooked jam of currant, plum, raisin, and fig. More sips add rich vanilla and notes of brown sugar, woody caramel, and light molasses, while roasted hazelnuts add a nutty dimension. Yet Pinkie’s Batch is wood-forward, with heavy, and strong oak, barrel tannins and spice, accompanied by smoky-sweet char. Also in the mix is a trace of what one might take in when surrounded by leather-bound books which adds even more earthiness to the pour.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Apprentice Batch offers notable balance in its blend of flavors. Fruity notes harmonize with sugary sweetness while its woody depth provides a sound foundation for just the right amount of spice. Each sip starts creamy, then gives the roof of the mouth and tongue a reminding tickle before becoming oily as it is held. As the glass is swirled, a solid crown of inverted droplets forms. Then after each sip, the liquid sheet breaks into fat, long-flowing legs to return the dregs back to the mahogany-colored pool.
Apprentice Batch leaves an undeniably long, dry, earthy and warmly satisfying finish on the back of the palate and in the throat. I sense the roasted corn and dusty grain found in the aroma and flavor along with currants and raisins, allspice, nutmeg, and rye. After each sip, a wave of rich vanilla washes over the palate into the throat, followed by burnt, woody caramel, and dark molasses. The persistent heavy oak asserts its dominance, accompanied by barrel tannins and a smoky char that adds depth and intrigue. A subtle nod to leather lingers on the taste buds, bringing a touch of sophistication to the final act. Even after the last drop, the experience continues as delightful scents of brown sugar and cherry sawdust drift up from the empty Glencairn.
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 92/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Booker’s Bourbon.
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Brian’s Booker’s 2023-01 Charlie’s Batch Review:
reviewed 29-September-2023
Booker’s 2023-01 Charlie’s Batch (Charlie’s Batch) is a well balanced and flavorful bourbon. Common notes throughout its aromas, flavors and finish include roasted corn, dark berries, plum, raisin, and fig. Throughout the tasting experience, allspice, cinnamon, and ginger blend with rich vanilla, brown sugar caramel, and light molasses on en earthy foundation of fry seasoned oak, barrel tannins, toasted wood and leather. Charlie’s Batch is a solid offering and in my opinion, a great representation of the brand.
Category: Small Batch Bourbon
Region: Clermont, Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam, Master Distiller Fred Noe
Small Batch: 2021-01 Charlie’s Batch
Mash bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Casks: New Charred Oak
Barrel Char: #4
Barrel Entry Proof: 125
Age: 7 years, 1month, 8 days
ABV: 63.3% (126.6 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16906
Fair Price: $121.56 (BoozApp, August 2023)
Paid: $89.95
This batch is made up of barrels from four production dates that were aged in four different warehouses. The breakdown of barrel storage for Booker’s “Charlie’s Batch” is as follows:
3% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Q
17% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse G
24% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse Z
27% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z
29% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse 1
The color of this batch is pleasant to the eye with an amber color of a well-aged bourbon. The nose is balanced without too much wood and with hints of oak, toasted nuts, and vanilla. This is the aroma that Dad always looked for in his Booker’s. The taste is balanced with a slight warmth and has a pleasant finish. This batch came out just the way Dad liked it, and I know he would be happy that I named it for Charlie. I hope you enjoy this batch of Booker’s as much as I do.
The first release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2023 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2023-01 “Charlie’s Batch.” This batch is named in honor of Charlie Hutchens, the craftsman behind the signature wooden boxes that each bottle of Booker’s Bourbon comes in. He is also a longtime family friend and former employee of my dad, Booker Noe.
Charlie started his career working at the Booker Noe Distillery. He was quite the storyteller and would entertain others with his tall tales throughout the workday. He was also one to pay close attention to the details, doing something over and over again until it was perfect – just like Dad was with his whiskey. It’s not hard to see why they got on so well.
After several years, Charlie left the business to open his own cabinet shop with his brother. Charlie handcrafted the very first Booker’s Bourbon wooden boxes in his garage, and he’s created every box for us since. He and his brother have expanded their business to create other fine wood products for different brands and projects in the Beam family, including supplying custom furniture to the new Fred B. Noe Distillery – where Booker’s Bourbon is now distilled.
Charlie still lives near our Booker Noe Distillery and enjoys fishing and vacationing with his family in South Carolina. One of these days, my son Freddie and I hope to get out there to fish with him. Our whole family is so grateful for Charlie as he was one of the first people to help us make Booker’s Bourbon a recognizable brand. Charlie is a very worthy recipient of his own batch, and we are excited to honor him.
— Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller
Learn more at Booker’s Bourbon.
On Day 29 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, the first one and a half ounces of a newly opened bottle mixed with the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, by alternating the pours, four once review amounts went into a Glencairn and a Weck. After posting on social media, my daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat as I prepared this review. About 30 minutes had gone by before my first sip.
Charlie’s Batch has an invitingly warm aroma without overpowering alcohol or ethanol. As the glass is lifted to my nose, the scent of roasted sweet corn and dusty grain, sets the stage for what is to come. Allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and rye blended into dark berries, baked apple compote, currants, dark stone fruit, with hints of plum, raisin, and fig add depth, and make me think of rich apple cinnamon pie fresh from the oven. The aroma continues to unfold as vanilla custard, brown sugar caramel, and a touch of maple syrup, balance in light molasses and subtle pinenut notes. The presence of light oak and barrel tannins complement the bouquet, and are accompanied by toasted wood and earthy undertones.
Charlie’s Batch delivers a warm and dry flavorful journey. In the initial notes of roasted corn and dusty grain, a subtle touch of apple pipe tobacco builds to prepare my mouth for what is to come. Dark berries, plum, raisin, and fig intermingle, as allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and rye add complexity. With additional sips, I pick up a velvety wave of rich vanilla, which combines with brown sugar caramel and light molasses to cover roasted nuts, introducing another layer of depth. As my tasting continues, dry seasoned oak, barrel tannins, a hint of char, and a touch of leather unite to build an earthy foundation.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Charlie’s Batch achieves remarkable balance and when considering the proof, surprises with its smoothness. In my mouth, I do get a mild tickle, however this bourbon is creamy and viscous. In the glass, the pour is equally captivating, as an extremely thin crown gracefully breaks into fast-falling droplets which soon create long, flowing legs to transport left over liquid from the sips back to the mahogany-colored pool.
Booker’s 2023-01 Charlie’s Batch offers a medium-long and dry finish which warms the throat when swallowed. As I savor each sip, roasted corn notes fade into an open bag of apple pipe tobacco. Then, dark berries, plum, raisin, and figs create a rich and fruity backdrop for allspice and ginger to work their magic. A touch of rich vanilla and brown sugar add complexity with hints of dark molasses and dry seasoned oak. Blended within the finish, an essence of barrel tannins, spice, and char contribute to a subtle leather and earthy backdrop as each sip slides down. Left behind in the empty Glencairn, I smell the lingering aroma of heavy seasoned oak sawdust, a bit of chocolate, and warm vanilla; an inviting compliment to the memory of this fine pour.
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 90/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Booker’s Bourbon.
Back to …
