Category: Brian’s Whiskey Reviews

Booker’s 2022-02 Lumberyard Batch

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Booker’s 2022-02 Lumberyard Batch Review:

reviewed 26-September-2023

BOOKER’S 2022-02 LUMBERYARD BATCH BOURBON REVIEW:

Booker’s 2022-02 Lumberyard Batch (Lumberyard Batch) offers aromas of ethanol, herbs, roasted corn, and fruits. Combined with its white pepper and brown sugar notes along with the subtle wood influences, it is easy to experience this bold, sweet, and spicy pour. Each sip is full of dry warmth, and flavors of roasted corn, berries, spices, and richness. For me, the pour is a bit wood-centric, but sweets, fruit and spice do come through in its creamy mouthfeel. As each sip is downed, the closing sensation is long, dry, and warming, with lingering hints of herbs, caramel, and oak. This pour leaves a lasting impression and I’ll gladly enjoy a wee bit more.

BOOKER’S 2022-02 LUMBERYARD BATCH VITAL STATS:
Booker's 2022-02 Lumberyard Batch

Category: Small Batch Bourbon
Region: Clermont, Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam, Master Distiller Fred Noe
Small Batch: 2022-02 The Lumberyard 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 7 Days
ABV: 62.4% (124.8 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16906
Fair Price: $153.71 (BoozApp, August 2023)
Paid: $89.95 (Idaho, Sep 2022)
Availability: Allocated, limited, released tri-anually/quarterly

MASTER DISTILLER NOTES

The batch is made up of five production dates that were aged in seven different warehouses. The breakdown of barrel storage for Booker’s “The Lumberyard Batch” is as follows:

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

This batch was pulled during the rainy weeks ahead of the Kentucky Derby. The beautiful amber color of this batch reminds me of the horses that will compete on the racetrack. The aroma is deep with hints of vanilla and oak that lead you back to enjoy it several times to explore its depth. It has a balanced taste with a bit of sweetness and a pleasant finish that will leave you longing for another sip. My dad would be really proud to have a batch dedicated to his hard-working years at The Lumberyard and the experience this liquid delivers with every glass.

LABEL INSPIRATION

The second release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2022 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2022-02 “The Lumberyard Batch”. This batch is named in honor of my dad, Booker Noe’s pre-distillery years. While his journey to becoming a distiller wasn’t exactly a straight path, it led him to his true passion.

After a short stint at the University of Kentucky, Booker hitch-hiked across America in hopes of joining the Air Force. After being accepted to the Air Force, the local police called his mom to verify his information to be cleared. When Booker’s Mom found out where he was, she convinced him to come home and work at the local lumberyard with uncle Jeremiah Beam, also known as Uncle Jere. Booker was over 6 feet tall and very strong at an early age. He never backed away from physical labor of any kind, which made him a natural fit for the job. Booker gave 110% during his time at the lumberyard, which eventually landed him his first role working at the distillery and from then on, the rest was history.

Since that first day, Booker held just about every job at the distillery and worked his way up to Master Distiller. Booker’s esteemed distilling career wasn’t given to him, he earned it. His experience at the lumberyard shaped the solid work ethic and curiosity he is known for. I am excited to share The Lumberyard Batch with you and hope you will be able to gather with family and friends to enjoy it.

— Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller

Learn more at Booker’s Bourbon.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

On Day 26 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.

BOOKER’S 2022-02 LUMBERYARD BATCH NOSE:

Upon first opening the bottle, the aroma of Lumberyard Batch releases a subtle brown sugar scent. As I bring the pour to my nose, the warmth of ethanol becomes evident. With deep inhales, I detect herbal notes, roasted corn, dusty grain, as well as faint hints of tart apple, dark cherry, and plum. With continuing nosing, cinnamon and white pepper emerge. The experience is bold, sweet, and spicy. Additional sweetness is comes from refined malt, vanilla, simple syrup, soft caramel, honeycomb, and hints of pecans in toffee. Although the wood influence is not overpowering, I do perceive nuanced dry, seasoned oak, hazy toasted wood, and a subtle suggestion of leather in the aroma.

BOOKER’S 2022-02 LUMBERYARD BATCH PALATE:

The first sip of Lumberyard Batch is dry and warm with manageable alcohol burn. Continuing on, I discern the flavors of roasted corn and dusty grain, accompanied by the presence of berries, dark cherry, and dried dark raisins. As the taste unfolds, I taste a medley of spices, including cinnamon and pepper, mingled with rich vanilla, almost burnt brown sugar caramel, and dark molasses baked into a rustic graham crust. This delightful combination harmonizes seamlessly with the notes of roasted nuts, robust seasoned oak, smoky char, and a subtle touch of leather.

Booker's 2022-02 Lumberyard Batch

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Lumberyard Batch exhibits a pronounced balance, leaning towards wood flavors. The pour offers slightly lessened sweetness while its floral, fruity, and spicy elements are fairly evenly matched. With the initial sip, I feel creaminess, followed by a subtle roughness on the back of the tongue and in the throat, ultimately transitioning to a viscous and oily texture as my mouth adjusts. In the glass, I see a quickly dissipating thin crown in which fast-falling legs drain the remaining liquid from each sip gracefully back to the mahogany-colored pool.

BOOKER’S 2022-02 LUMBERYARD BATCH FINISH

The finish of Booker’s 2022-02 Lumberyard Batch lingers for a considerable time, and is characterized by its dry and warming qualities. Although it may not exhibit as many distinctive traits as those found on the nose and palate, I do sense herbs, roasted corn, dusty grain, dark fruits, and subtle hints of cinnamon and pepper. The sweetness of burnt caramel and dark molasses persists, while the seasoned, heavy oak and hazy char gradually recede, leaving behind a faint impression of old leather. As the last drops vanish, the empty Glencairn glass carries the lingering aromas of dark sweets and aged oak sawdust.

MY RATING: 90/100

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.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Booker's 2022-02 Lumberyard Batch
Booker's 2022-02 Lumberyard Batch

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Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel Bourbon

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel Bourbon Review:

reviewed 24-September-2023

LUX ROW FOUR GRAIN DOUBLE BARREL BOURBON REVIEW:

Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel (Lux Row Four Grain) exhibits dry and earthy notes from the inital waft on through to the finish. Its herbal characteristics tend to dominate the pour’s dark fruit and spice although its dark sweetness matches well with the old oak and char. This unique pour may not be for everyone, and it will never find its way into an every day rotation, I am happy to recommend it to others.

LUX ROW FOUR GRAIN DOUBLE BARREL VITAL STATS:
Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel

Category: Double Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Region: Bardstown, KY
Distillery: Lux Row
DSP: KY-200044
Wheated Barrel Number: 8119640
Filled: 14-August-2018
Mash Bill 1: 51% corn, 45% wheat, 4% malted barley
Ryed Barrel Number: 8086595
Filled: 11-July-2018
Mash bill 2: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
Barrel Char: unpublished
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Age: A single barrel of 4-year-old wheated bourbon and a single barrel of 4-year-old ryed bourbon
ABV: 57.5% (115 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 19461
Price: $79.95 (Idaho, Summer 2023)

LUX ROW FOUR GRAIN DOUBLE BARREL

Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel utilizes a ‘Double Single Barrel Mashbill’ which is a blend of two separate 4 year single barrels in one bottle. Master Distiller John Rempe (also known for his Blood Oath series) has hit a home run with this offering. This bottle of 4-grain bourbon combines a single barrel of ryed bourbon with a single barrel of wheated bourbon, a perfect and flavorful mix of the finest mashbills.

Learn more at Lux Row Distillers.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

On Day 24 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, alternate pours, of about 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.

LUX ROW FOUR GRAIN DOUBLE BARREL NOSE:

The first wafts of Lux Row Four Grain are dry and earthy with herbal, dusty grain, and hay. With deep draws, the ethanol comes out and the pour becomes vegetal, which somehow helps bring out dried dark fruits, like raisin and fig. Allspice, powdered ginger, and rye help balance the aromas, and as I take the glass away I smell lightly toasted wheat bread. With additional nosing I sense light vanilla, however the aroma is almost masked by nearly burnt sugar, and dark molasses with freshly hulled walnuts. Further nosing confirms dryness as the smoky char of dry old oak fades into musty potting soil.

LUX ROW FOUR GRAIN DOUBLE BARREL PALATE:

As I sip Lux Row Four Grain, the dry elements sensed on the nose come through. I get barrel tannins along with sherry and the same herbal, dusty grain, and hay. Mouthfuls are warm, almost hot as the ethanol spured by the alcohol’s proof spare with the pour’s vegetal nature. While not strong, I do taste a trace of tart apple along with dark fruits, and fig. Then flavors of cinnamon, ginger; and rye mix with rich vanilla, which help make the pour darkly sweet. Brown sugar, woody caramel, and dark molasses add depth to walnuts, dry old oak, char, somewhat acrid, but not off-putting smoke. And as sensed in the aroma, each sip has parting notes of earthy potting soil.

Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
For the most part I find Lux Row Four Grain reasonably balanced. Its flora, spice, sweets and woodiness blend well, and only the fruit notes are lacking. In the mouth, I find the liquid to be creamy, becoming more viscous the longer it is held, although small sips with a Kentucky Chew can be rough on the underside of the tongue. In the glass a thick inverted crown hangs with clinging droplets as it sits, and when sipped, the thick veil breaks slowly before draining in fat legs back to the tawny colored pool.

LUX ROW FOUR GRAIN DOUBLE BARREL FINISH

Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel offers a medium, dry, throat warming finish. I sense barrel tannins, and the herbal, dusty, hay, and vegetal aftertaste found on the nose and taste buds. The few dark fruit notes do little to calm the slightly acidic bitterness I feel. Then a blend of cinnamon, ginger, and rye mixed in brown sugar, woody caramel, and dark molasses marry with dry, old oak and char..and when the last sips are gone, the empty Glencairn smells earthy, much like the empty pot from a plant recently replanted.

MY RATING: 89100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 89/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Lux Row Distillers.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel
Lux Row Four Grain Double Barrel

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Maker’s Mark BEP

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Maker’s Mark BEP Review:

reviewed 22-September-2023

MAKER’S MARK BEP BOURBON REVIEW:

Maker’s Mark BEP (Maker’s BEP) offers a warm and balanced sensory experience. The aroma and taste profiles are a harmonious blend of fruity notes, which feature red berries, plum, and raisin, paired with subtle spices like ginger and pepper. Yeasty qualities of wheat toast and pie crust meld with the sweetness of brown sugar caramel and honey, while light molasses adds depth. Light vanilla accents hints of cashew mixed in the presence of oak. Each sip is creamy and becomes oily over time, while the warm finish is dry and long with sensations reminiscent of those found on the nose and in the palate.

MAKER’S MARK BEP VITAL STATS:
Maker's Mark BEP

Category: Wood Finishing Series
Region: Loretto, Ky
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Barrel Char: unpublished
Barrel entry proof: 110
Age: nas
Non-chill filtered
ABV: 54.8% (109.6 Proof)
NABCA CSC #:
Fair price: $98.64 (BoozApp, September 2023)
Paid: $69.95 (Idaho, Summer 2023)

This limited-release bourbon showcases the influence of Maker’s® unique, 110 barrel entry proof (also known as BEP)

For bourbon, this process delivers more flavor, smoothness, even color. The extra water helps improve the congener concentration, which imparts flavors of caramel, vanilla and baking spice. These decrease as BEPs increase.

Learn more at Maker’s Mark.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

On Day 22 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, approximately four ounces from a newly opened bottle went into my Glencairn. After posting on social media and nosing the pour for the review, about 30 minutes had gone by before taking my first sip.

MAKER’S MARK BEP NOSE:

Maker’s BEP offers warm aromas of fruit tree blossoms mix with fresh notes of sweet corn and wheat. In the scent, hints of red berries nectar, maraschino cherries, and plum, blend with a trace of powdered ginger and nutmeg. There’s also a yeasty quality in which I sense wheat toast and pie crust, with a faint hint chocolate chips. Light vanilla notes mingle with a sweetness similar to caramel corn, simple syrup, light brown sugar, and honey, along with a touch of cashew nuttiness. As I breath in, the gentle presence of light oak and piney woodiness, create fresh and light undertones.

MAKER’S MARK BEP PALATE:

Maker’s BEP combines a warm potpourri of blossoms and herbs with sweet corn and wheaty notes. In the blend I taste notes of apricot, currants, plum, and freshly dried raisin flavors. These fruity elements are balanced by a subtle acidity and hints of ginger and black pepper spice. I get a sensation reminiscent of fresh baked wheat bread with faint bittersweet chocolate undertones and light vanilla accents. As I savor, I pick up notes of caramel corn, brown sugar, dark honey, and light molasses, coupled with a touch of hazelnut. Each sip reveals seasoned dry oak and toasted wood char, keeping the overall profile simple and approachable.

Maker's Mark BEP

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
I find Maker’s BEP has a pleasing balance. Its aromas and flavors of fruit align with those of wood, and pare nicely with the flora and spice. Notablyof note however, sweetness in the pour possesses a slightly greater intensity. Each sip exhibits creaminess and viscosity, and exhibits increased oiliness with prolonged holding. In the glass, a thin crown of rapidly descending droplets is suspended in the bowl. Following each sip, closely spaced clinging legs swiftly form, to transport the remainder back to the terracotta-colored pool.

MAKER’S MARK BEP FINISH

Maker’s Mark BEP delivers a long and dry throat-warming finish, accompanied by hints of wheat and roasted corn. Hidden within the blend, I perceive more than I taste; there are notes of red berries and dark fruits. Adding to the warmth, ginger, nutmeg, and black pepper give a tingle, while rich vanilla, brown sugar, and dark molasses add sweetness. There is a bit of hazelnut bitterness, which I find similar to what I taste on the palate, but they too are much subdued. Deep in each swallow, I feel seasoned dry oak and barrel char. And when the last dram is gone the empty Glencairn smells of faint oak and the blended aroma of the pour.

MY RATING: 89/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 89/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Maker’s Mark.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Maker's Mark BEP
Maker's Mark BEP

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