Hannah’s Booker’s 2021-02 Tagalong Batch Review
Original review written September 28, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This is the Booker’s I know and love. It’s rich, has a solid foundation, and bourbon warmth coupled with sweet and spice. All I could ask for, and I can’t wait for another pour. 94/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Clermont, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Jim Beam Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Small Batch
– Age: 6 yrs., 5 months, and 0 days
– Mash Bill: Corn=77%; Rye=13%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 63.95% (127.9 proof)
– Price: $89.95 USD in Idaho
– From Master Distiller’s Notes: Tagalong Batch is made up of barrels that were aged in 5 different locations/warehouses (WH)… Breakdown is as follows:
40%: 7th floor of 9-story WH H
33%: 6th floor of 9-story WH H
13%: 5th floor of 9-story WH D
7%: 5th floor of 7-story WH Z
4%: 3rd floor of 7-story WH 5
3%: 4th floor of 7-story WH X
Find more information at bookersbourbon.com
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review of this bourbon here!
SETTING:
You’ve just come in from an autumn day, and you’re hanging up your light jacket and hat, and there’s a glass of Tagalong Batch waiting for you. Have a friend with you (it only makes sense, given the name), and enjoy the fall afternoon together with more laughs. Maybe even head out in the backyard to a bonfire with some marshmallows to make yourself some s’mores. This is just an exciting bourbon meant to be enjoyed with some great friends, so if nothing else, make sure you have those!
Photo by Luisa Brimble on Unsplash
NOSE:
I’m immediately surprised at the lack of alcohol burn on the first draw, given the proof. Instead, I am met with soft caramel apples and some fruit leather. There is some spice here, likely being white pepper as well as some ginger. Brown sugary goodness pairs with these spices and makes for an addictive nose. Deep draws pull out the alcohol burn, but with it comes a berry nectar, milk chocolate, and some maple candy influences. Oak is certainly present, but I don’t think it does more than act as a foundation with this bourbon. It seamlessly blends all of the aromas together to make for an overall sweet nose that has a bit of a kick.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Tagalong Batch has an intense, oily mouth feel, but my salivary glands are working to dilute it by working overtime.
– Balance: I’m impressed. The heat of the alcohol matches every flavor component well, while still letting every flavor shine. The alcohol warmth just happens to bind everything together as a common denominator.
– Visual: Flame in color, there is an uneven ring with thin, fast-dropping legs.
– Taste: My immediate impression from this taste was that it was a curveball. I was expecting the heat, which was delivered, but I also had anticipated this being spice and fruit forward. Instead, I find unsalted peanuts and just straight up bourbon warmth. The wood is stronger here on the palate also, seasoned with black pepper and most definitely rye. The longer I hold the bourbon on the palate, however, the sweeter it becomes. In fact, I find a floral element that is both sweet and incredibly soft. Along with this, is a berry syrup (I keep thinking raspberry, but I’m not set on it) mixing with some very light caramel or simple syrup. In fact, there could even be marshmallows present to go along with the floral softness.
The alcohol may not be immediately apparent when letting it sit at the tip of the palate, but it is certainly there. If not careful, I already know that Tagalong Batch has the definite potential to give a Kentucky hug. I already have the warmth sitting at the back of my throat, being fended off by copious amounts of saliva. (And I already know it’s a battle that I’ll eventually lose…) When I partake in a Kentucky chew though, needles of alcohol prick the tongue with the peanuts back in full force along with some sudden cinnamon.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Very long. The heat lingers and lingers and threatens a Kentucky hug at any moment.
– Between Sips: The floral softness is the most apparent between sips, but some sweet oak is here as well.
– No More: This softness yet richness continues to abound the further into the glass I get. It’s warm, and its floral and candy sweetness only grows without being over-the-top. This is just a really great pour.
The empty Glencairn is a sweet and caramelly oak with richness that matches that of the pour itself. Truthfully, I lament this glass being empty.
THE ADDITION OF WATER
– This section written on October 2, 2021 –
Booker’s 2021-02 Tagalong Batch Review: Water can often tame bold whiskeys and the addition of 2-4 drops will not radically change the proof of the pour. Rather water may help open the spirit allowing the aromas and flavors to bloom. As such, 2 and 4 drops of distilled water were added to their own respective 1.5 oz. pours of Booker’s Tagalong Batch to detect any potential differences:
Two drops of water turn this pour into something actually quite savory. Leather enters the picture, along with wood. I also get more nuts on the pour that contribute to the earthiness overall. To be entirely honest, this tastes like a very different bourbon than the one I enjoyed only a few nights ago. I can find a bit of cherry, but it is incredibly subtle.
The water knocked back the alcohol heat a great deal also, which, if you don’t like high proof may be nice. However, I considered the alcohol to be one of the principal binding components of this bourbon. It helped put everything together, and without it, I think the value is greatly diminished. And while there is some heat here, it is nothing like it was on the original pour, and there is nothing remaining on the finish. If anything, there may be a brininess on the finish… I’d rather have this neat 100%. (RATING: 88/100)
The brininess slightly detected with two drops suddenly abounds now with four drops. It’s turned the mouth feel almost overly viscous and the palate exceptionally nutty. What little hints of flavor present with two drops are now all but entirely gone, and to me, so is the heat. There is only the slightest essence of alcohol burn, but it really might as well not be there. The finish is better than it was at two drops, with some more of the cherry appearing; however, I don’t think that balances out the let-down of the palate.
This bourbon is such a great bourbon, but I think its greatness resides in its neatness. Don’t add water to this. If you need water, best not buy this one. (RATING: 85/100)
WORTH THE PRICE?
$90 is a lot to ask, and I have to recognize that. However, this Booker’s definitely ticks all of the boxes for what I’d like a Booker’s to be and then some. Acknowledge that some of what you are paying, is a brand and a story, but personally, I think this bourbon meets the hype and the price. I’d buy it again. Just don’t add water!
BOOKER’S 2021-02 TAGALONG BATCH REVIEW RATING NEAT: 94/100
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