Brian’s Booker’s 2018-01 Kathleen’s Batch Review:
written on 19-August-2018
BOOKER’S 2018-01 KATHLEEN’S BATCH REVIEW:
Booker’s 2018-01 “Kathleen’s Batch” is a fine bourbon with a pleasing bourbon aroma, taste and finish. Its sweetness belies its 127.4 proof. Its taste would fit well with robust smoked foods, but it is still a nice sipping bourbon. Booker’s 2018-01 batch is good, and I look forward to what is coming next.
BOOKER’S 2018-01 KATHLEEN’S BATCH VITAL STATS:
– Category: Small batch bourbon
– Region: Clermont, KY, USA
– Distiller: Jim Beam
– Mashbill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
– Cask: New Charred Oak
– Barrel Char: #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 63.7% (127.4 Proof)
– Age: 6 Years, 3 Months, 14 Days
– Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered
– Purchase Price: $69.95 USD in Idaho (2018)
LABEL INSPIRATION:
Jim Beam makes four Booker’s releases each year, and each release is given a name and special labeling. This batch first batch of 2018 is named after Kathleen DiBenedetto who has been with the company for almost 30 years. She was key in launching Booker’s, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Baker’s alongside Booker Noe and even became the first brand manager of the Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection.
Keeping true to Booker Noe’s small batch practices, barrel sourcing for this bottling break down as follows:
30%: 5th floor of 9-story warehouse H
25%: 7th floor of 9-story warehouse H
19%: 4th floor of 9-story warehouse H
13%: 6th floor of 9-story warehouse H
6%: 4th floor of 9-story warehouse F
4%: 5th floor of 7-story warehouse ONE
3%: 7th floor of 9-story warehouse F
Learn more at https://beamsuntory.com/
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I drank this spirit neat, from a Glencairn glass.
NOSE:
Alcohol on the nose but only after a hard full draw. The alcohol diminishes the longer the dram is left open. Sweet simple syrup with caramel undertones. Fruit and baking spice. Dusty grain and woody.
PALATE:
Booker’s 2018-01 is a warming bourbon but even at 63.7% ABV, the alcohol is not overpowering. Earthy and sweet with spice, dark fruit with slight hints of stone fruit accompany honey and cinnamon. There is a touch of vanilla and oak as well.
Balance, Body, Look, and Feel:
Good balance of flavors, full and round body but no oily mouth feel, possibly due to the high ABV.
FINISH:
The caramel and oak finish lingers accompanied by dark fruit, spice, and roasted corn.
MY RATING: 89/100
Will I seek out this whiskey in the future? Yes
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