Agree with the review. I'm not buying anymore Bookers batches. They're $110 min by me now. A couple of years ago these were $86ish and it was a stretch for me then. They were just heat and peanuts. Now at 3 digits forget it. I'd rather a KC 12 year and have money to spare.
I agree. KC 12 is a better option and in my opinion is not as nutty. Not that nutty is a bad thing it's just not as intense as some Booker's can be. Cheers!
Nice review as always! I really enjoy the Booker’s batches (some more than others) I have a store owner friend that sells them to me for 72.00-75.00 bucks so for that price they are worth it to me. I’ve been on my journey for 2 years now and I’ve bought 13 different batches. Country Ham, Pinky’s, Charlie’s, Beam House, and the newest 2023-03 are my favorites. Booker’s Reserve is really nice. Cheers!
If I am not mistaken this was my very first bottle of Booker's. I enjoy the nutty notes of all the bottles. I like that profile. I just don't drink enough to keep getting each release. Once my bottles are gone I will look to replace them with one that gets some solid reviews from sources that my palate matches up with. Cheers!
I agree with you and at the price, its just too much. I think if they put out a better product twice a year, it would be a different story. Looking forward to that upcoming review. I'm supposed to be picking up the reserves soon.
I am a Booker’s fan and I’ve tasted several different batches. However, I am working my way to the same conclusion you drew: they are very similar and unless one is a real banger bottle, I probably will stop buying.
I have a review of the Little Book The Infinite along side Booker's 2024 Reserves coming out in 2 weeks. I think the Reserves tastes like a normal Booker's, but elevated just a little.
@ I look forward to seeing it. I’m interested in what you think. I just found a bottle of the infinite for MSRP. I’ve had a hard time finding the reserve.
Hadn't owned a Booker's since the awful 2019-01 Teresa's Batch. The last Booker's sample I actually enjoyed was the Kentucky Tea 2022-03. Uncorked one at a bar when it came out and loved it as it was off profile (and ended up high on end of year Best Of lists). Sadly couldn't get one. But just a few weeks ago I came across a store that said it had one in stock. I didn't believe it. Took the drive and there she was. $99 which is normal here in Connecticut now. He had a bunch of others, mostly 2023s and 2024s but he also had a 2018 -01 Kathleen's Batch and that was an automatic buy given it's verging on being a dusty find. Looked up the sparse 6 year old reviews and found people thought that was also a bit off profile too with more fruity undertones (the sound of which makes me happy!) And yes, also agree with you that having one open at a time is plenty good enough for the majority of these releases. I'm not a big Jim Beam fan overall but when something strays from their normal output, Im happy to have a look. Cheers!
Funny you mentioned Kentucky Tea. That came up on my Sip It or Skip It wheel for another Wednesday episode in November. I also have a review of the 2024 Reserves, Little Book The Infinite, and a Baker's 13 coming out in November. A lot of Beam in November. Sorry to hear you are not that big of a fan of it. Hope you watch anyway. Cheers!
@whiskeyisajourney I will certainly watch the KY Tea video. I think it's great to have a perspective on something after some time has passed and with less hype surrounding a certain release or bottle. If I can make room on my shelves, maybe I can crack it and sip along! I did also pick up a Booker's Reserves '24. A friend wanted it more so it was passed along to him and he sent me a sample. I have opinions but will wait for that video to come around.
Before watching. It's not often I can - almost - sip along with the same - similar - product. Got a Booker's 2022 01-E in my glass. ... Shit, where'd I put it...
Booker's hits me different from dram to dram, and even sip to sip. I think tonight, it's a sour, bitter, oak beast. Gonna blend it with some Stranahan's and see what happens.
Agree with the review. I'm not buying anymore Bookers batches. They're $110 min by me now. A couple of years ago these were $86ish and it was a stretch for me then. They were just heat and peanuts. Now at 3 digits forget it. I'd rather a KC 12 year and have money to spare.
I agree. KC 12 is a better option and in my opinion is not as nutty. Not that nutty is a bad thing it's just not as intense as some Booker's can be. Cheers!
I haven't had a Booker's that I didn't love. Having said that, I have only had 3, and none since 2010.
Wow! 2010? How much do you have left in each bottle?
@@whiskeyisajourney - only have 1 bottle left. It's at 80%. It's an older bottle, I think from the early 2000s.
🎉
Nice review as always! I really enjoy the Booker’s batches (some more than others) I have a store owner friend that sells them to me for 72.00-75.00 bucks so for that price they are worth it to me. I’ve been on my journey for 2 years now and I’ve bought 13 different batches. Country Ham, Pinky’s, Charlie’s, Beam House, and the newest 2023-03 are my favorites. Booker’s Reserve is really nice. Cheers!
It sure is nice to have connections like that. Good for you. Happy to know that you enjoy them a much as you do. Cheers!
I really enjoy this batch. I’d seek out a back up bottle of it as opposed to chasing other ones
If I am not mistaken this was my very first bottle of Booker's. I enjoy the nutty notes of all the bottles. I like that profile. I just don't drink enough to keep getting each release. Once my bottles are gone I will look to replace them with one that gets some solid reviews from sources that my palate matches up with. Cheers!
@ it was my first bookers as well. I’m Canadian and in my province, we typically only see the first batch of the year.
I agree with you and at the price, its just too much. I think if they put out a better product twice a year, it would be a different story. Looking forward to that upcoming review. I'm supposed to be picking up the reserves soon.
The more I have the Reserves I am liking it more then the Little Book The infinite. Cheers!
I am a Booker’s fan and I’ve tasted several different batches. However, I am working my way to the same conclusion you drew: they are very similar and unless one is a real banger bottle, I probably will stop buying.
I have a review of the Little Book The Infinite along side Booker's 2024 Reserves coming out in 2 weeks. I think the Reserves tastes like a normal Booker's, but elevated just a little.
@ I look forward to seeing it. I’m interested in what you think. I just found a bottle of the infinite for MSRP. I’ve had a hard time finding the reserve.
Hadn't owned a Booker's since the awful 2019-01 Teresa's Batch.
The last Booker's sample I actually enjoyed was the Kentucky Tea 2022-03. Uncorked one at a bar when it came out and loved it as it was off profile (and ended up high on end of year Best Of lists). Sadly couldn't get one. But just a few weeks ago I came across a store that said it had one in stock. I didn't believe it. Took the drive and there she was. $99 which is normal here in Connecticut now. He had a bunch of others, mostly 2023s and 2024s but he also had a 2018 -01 Kathleen's Batch and that was an automatic buy given it's verging on being a dusty find. Looked up the sparse 6 year old reviews and found people thought that was also a bit off profile too with more fruity undertones (the sound of which makes me happy!)
And yes, also agree with you that having one open at a time is plenty good enough for the majority of these releases. I'm not a big Jim Beam fan overall but when something strays from their normal output, Im happy to have a look.
Cheers!
Funny you mentioned Kentucky Tea. That came up on my Sip It or Skip It wheel for another Wednesday episode in November. I also have a review of the 2024 Reserves, Little Book The Infinite, and a Baker's 13 coming out in November. A lot of Beam in November. Sorry to hear you are not that big of a fan of it. Hope you watch anyway. Cheers!
@whiskeyisajourney I will certainly watch the KY Tea video. I think it's great to have a perspective on something after some time has passed and with less hype surrounding a certain release or bottle. If I can make room on my shelves, maybe I can crack it and sip along!
I did also pick up a Booker's Reserves '24. A friend wanted it more so it was passed along to him and he sent me a sample. I have opinions but will wait for that video to come around.
Before watching. It's not often I can - almost - sip along with the same - similar - product.
Got a Booker's 2022 01-E in my glass. ...
Shit, where'd I put it...
I think mine was only$140 Canadian, in Ottawa, Ontario.
Booker's hits me different from dram to dram, and even sip to sip. I think tonight, it's a sour, bitter, oak beast. Gonna blend it with some Stranahan's and see what happens.
Maybe you drank it?
$120 in my area of Michigan and I'm not spending that kind of money on a 7yr bourbon.
I don't blame you. $120 is way too much. Heck...$100 is too much as well.