This bottle just showed up here in Gettysburg. First bottle of Booker’s in our liquor store that I’ve seen in a few months. I’m drinking my first taste tonight with you. I like it and it’s sweetness.
Just scored my first Booker's! I am a fan of Knob Creek, so I wanted to give Booker's a try. And in our state, they are a rare fine. Thanks Jason for the review. Cheers.
I just bought this bottle of Booker's, and it is tasty. I have always been Booker's fan, so I was looking forward to this batch. Booker's was a gateway to high-end whiskey for me, so it will always have a place on my shelf. It is not a sourced and bottled whiskey. My respects to everyone at Jim Beam for distilling a classic AMERICAN whiskey.
Picked up a bottle tonight after reading some positive reviews. It's my first experience with this bourbon, and it's been very enjoyable thus far. I paid $91 dollars and I think that's on the upper end of an acceptable price for the quality. I certainly wouldn't pay over $100.
My first bottle of Bookers was C90-E-14 that a bartender friend bought for my bday in the late 90’s. Changed the way I approached bourbon forever. I feel your sentiment. The Beam House Batch actually just dropped in VA today this morning. There was a HUGE single barrel and allocated drop statewide and all of the allocated bottles were unannounced! I bought mine at 4pm today and the store I was in still had 2 CASES sitting out! Bonus: $89.99!
Booker's also got me into the world of high proof bourbon. The first time I actually learned about viscosity with bourbon and how much mouth feel made a difference in enjoyment.
Like you, Booker’s is what really drew me in to higher proof bourbons. I was at Beam a few weeks ago and these were on the shelf at 119 clams and I passed knowing I will likely come across cheaper. One bit of disappointing news I learned while there. The 15 year Knob Creek has been discontinued. Personally I find it to be more complex than the 12 year and not suffering from over oak notes that the 18 year suffers. My recommended Bookers replacement is the Beam SiB at 107 proof. Around 30-35 bucks and I see it on the shelf. It has many of the same characteristics as the Bookers though not quite as complex. I don’t see it get a lot of love and will definitely take it over the recently released Beam 7 year product. Thanks for another great video.
I’ve been able to consistently pick up Jim beam SB for $17-19 in South Carolina. At that price I’ve bought probably 15 bottles in the last year because the value is unmatched and because they really do vary pretty significantly barrel to barrel. I’ve gotten full on hitters that can compete with bookers down to one note meh bottles. But they are never undrinkable so I’ll keep riding the gravy train.
Wow they dropped 15yr!?! That sucks. Only knob creek i like other than some of rye picks. 9yr and 12yr just have too much of that peanut funk i cant stand. Didnt get that out of the 15yr. Surprised bookers is $120 at the distillery when i see it for $90-100 everywhere else. I just got little book 8 for $125. The new beam 7 i cant stand either. Taste like the 12yr KC but cheaper. Same super nutty profile i cant stand.
@@jacksmith2315 yes.. 15 is gone. I agree with you…easily the best of the KC. 12 is too thin for me and the 18 is way too oaky. 15 Has a fruity note for a Beam and definitely blows the other years away. I have not been a fan of the new 7 year but at 20 clams it’s hard to be critical. I have enjoyed (My bottle) of the SiB so that’s worth a spin if you like Bookers. So we are definitely on the same page on profile.
Just picked up a bottle tonight for Father’s Day! Can’t wait to crack it tomorrow. Booker’s is also the one that got me hooked!! Thanks for the review, O-H!!!
From one Jason to another…thanks a ton for your honesty and frankness even on theses "prestige" bourbons. Your point about comparing this to Knob Creek 12 et al is spot on. Batch chasing is fun…but not a value proposition!
Bookers was the hook for me too!! Still remember getting a sample at a local bar and being a big scotch drinker I wasn't sure. The brown sugar, vanilla spice and oak blew me away. I'll always have a soft spot for these bottles.
I found that the fresh crack was not very enjoyable due to a mildly astringent bite mixed with baking spices. But, the second pour 48 hours later was much better.
I’ve got a similar history with Bookers. It was a breakout bourbon for me after years of Woodford, Wild Turkey 101 and Makers - the first pour I sipped slowly and focused on the different flavors. It comes in a wooden box. It’s good. I still buy one batch a year.
I just got my hands on the 2024 - 01 . Shout out to Columbus Ohio. And all the great bands. I don't miss the wintertime cold. I do miss all the shows. There are so many great venues. Anyway, keep up the great reviews.
Doubt I’ll be at the liquor store any time soon. Would rather pick up the M&J group picks. ASW still available would take the Pecan Pie taste all day. Thanks for the heads up Jason.
Just bought and tried my first Bookers: Springfield Batch. I love it!! Huge Beam, KC, Grandad fan, so I'm not surprised. But I have a ECBP B523, and I think the Bookers blows it away. Will def try to get hands on Beam House batch.
@@pesky716same here. Blanton's was my first "nice" bottle, and Booker's was my first barrel proof. Probably around 10 years ago when you could just grab one of the Blanton's off of the shelf and come back for the Booker's that was still there a couple weeks later.
Finally found a bar with bookers so i could try before buying, ill have to see if they get this semi-off profile one in. The $99-$129+ around me is just tough to buy if other options are available..like a old forester sbbs or four roses sbbs or if im searching for other really well received bottles that might be hard to find.
Wild how I’m lucky to find one of these in Indy but I go an hour down the road and a store has 30+ stacked of these and a smaller handful of Little Book. As much as I hunt I feel like I would stumble upon that many or it’s just unequal distribution.
I just can't keep up with these batches! I never even laid eyes upon The Springfield Batch until a few days ago when I spied a bottle in the office of my Grocery Store's Liquor Dept. Manager. Let's see what you think (rubs hands together)... Sounds good so far... caramel apples, some "peanut". I find it interesting that you didn't get the "peanut" from the previous batch, either.
i went around and checked out leftovers from this past weekends drop, and bookers is all over the place still. I picked up one, and it brought me here.
still kinda new to bourbon, less than 2 yrs, i did pick this up, i do like it, im not sure it was worth $100, mainly picked it up because it was available in my area(NE OH) being still new , i lean more toward a sweeter , less peppery taste and lower proof, still waiting to taste most of BT products, ive found plenty of shelf sitters that i enjoy, the only bottle i have that i really dont like is I.Bowmen port finish... ill take bottle advice ) GG!
Bookers was the first cask strength bourbon i had too, i cant even remember which year, but it was while i was more into scotch, and the bookers was just way too hot for me. My brother got it, back when eagle rare was $25 n sat on shelves. I stipped the drinking for awhile, got into bourbon around feb 2023, and have just went nuts collecting. Bookers isnt my favorite, but i do really like kentucky tea batch. Apprentice batch didnt care for, storyteller pretty good, little book 7 and 8 i really like. Im not a big fan of the peanut note in beam and heaven hill products, which is why kentucky tea batch is my fav from the regular bookers line. Even ECBPs i dont care for because the slight peanut, but the picks that are off profile i like. Man...i was super interested in this batch when you said caramel apple, but then when you said it had the slight peanut, it killed it for me. My brother will probably get it, so ill be able to try before i buy lol. Great review as always bud. Cheers
Guess my first barrel proof bourbon was wt rare breed but the 2019-01E was the 2nd barrel proof bourbon which definitely got me wanting to try more uncut unfiltered bourbon . definitely holds a special place in my heart to the Booker's batches .cheers Jason for your review .I will probably never see this here in Australia since it seems like we normally just get the first batches of the year😢 but cheers mate🥃keep up the good work🙏
If that batch tastes like Carmel Apple I am in! I have store pick of Woodford Reserve that has a very similar tasting profile, it's like green apple caramel sucker!
This is probably going to be a hot take but here we go. Let me translate this part regarding pricing, "I think Booker's was a little ahead of its time in that pricing structure..." Translated to "Booker's was bending everyone over far before the others caught on and started effin everyone for hit n miss batches of mediocre aged whiskey." Don't get me wrong, I have my share of batches that I enjoy, but that has been a bit ago. Also will say I love your reviews and honesty and will always check them out, but they always seem to be mediocre for Booker's at best. Coupled with the fact that they are $110+ everywhere around here is just disappointing for such a large legacy distillery. I mean it is great they come up with wonderful marketing stories for each and the box is nice, but feel like they should be doing better with the juice. Just a insignificant opinion that I am sure I will get grilled on. Would love to get others thoughts.
Jim Beam products are pretty reasonably priced overall though: take the KC12, the new KC10 rye, all of the (older) Hardin's Creek expressions, not to mention so many more of their shelf products *have age statements* at the same prices as their competitors who don't have them. Seems like it's fair that they price their boxed LEs a little higher. 🤷🏼♂️ Vote with your dollars and don't buy them; enough people do that and they'll get the picture.
@eafarrar Have to agree. They do seem to be the king of age statements and their KC stuff is a great value. While most of the KC stuff is not my personal preference much as I'd want it be because I do think it's great bang for the buck, I do very much enjoy the KC12. Not tried the 10 yr Rye yet but can see that in my future :) You are absolutely right. Vote with your money.
@@TheMashandDrum I suppose it's hard not to mention it with any Booker's -- I get even the least nutty ones are nuts compared to other brands. Just givin' you some grief. 😄
Don't know why people pay 100 dollars for this when older Knob Creek store picks sit around at 50-70 bucks. You get all of the beam nutty gloriousness at a fraction of the cost. But hey, different strokes I suppose.
This bottle just showed up here in Gettysburg. First bottle of Booker’s in our liquor store that I’ve seen in a few months. I’m drinking my first taste tonight with you. I like it and it’s sweetness.
Just scored my first Booker's! I am a fan of Knob Creek, so I wanted to give Booker's a try. And in our state, they are a rare fine. Thanks Jason for the review. Cheers.
I just bought this bottle of Booker's, and it is tasty. I have always been Booker's fan, so I was looking forward to this batch. Booker's was a gateway to high-end whiskey for me, so it will always have a place on my shelf. It is not a sourced and bottled whiskey. My respects to everyone at Jim Beam for distilling a classic AMERICAN whiskey.
Picked up a bottle tonight after reading some positive reviews. It's my first experience with this bourbon, and it's been very enjoyable thus far. I paid $91 dollars and I think that's on the upper end of an acceptable price for the quality. I certainly wouldn't pay over $100.
I picked it up at Costco $87.99. Only picked it up for the batch name and to replace bookers I just finished. Great review!
I picked this up last night, and drinking it while playing some COD. So far I love it
My first bottle of Bookers was C90-E-14 that a bartender friend bought for my bday in the late 90’s. Changed the way I approached bourbon forever. I feel your sentiment.
The Beam House Batch actually just dropped in VA today this morning. There was a HUGE single barrel and allocated drop statewide and all of the allocated bottles were unannounced! I bought mine at 4pm today and the store I was in still had 2 CASES sitting out! Bonus: $89.99!
Booker's also got me into the world of high proof bourbon. The first time I actually learned about viscosity with bourbon and how much mouth feel made a difference in enjoyment.
Like you, Booker’s is what really drew me in to higher proof bourbons. I was at Beam a few weeks ago and these were on the shelf at 119 clams and I passed knowing I will likely come across cheaper.
One bit of disappointing news I learned while there. The 15 year Knob Creek has been discontinued. Personally I find it to be more complex than the 12 year and not suffering from over oak notes that the 18 year suffers.
My recommended Bookers replacement is the Beam SiB at 107 proof. Around 30-35 bucks and I see it on the shelf. It has many of the same characteristics as the Bookers though not quite as complex. I don’t see it get a lot of love and will definitely take it over the recently released Beam 7 year product.
Thanks for another great video.
I’ve been able to consistently pick up Jim beam SB for $17-19 in South Carolina. At that price I’ve bought probably 15 bottles in the last year because the value is unmatched and because they really do vary pretty significantly barrel to barrel. I’ve gotten full on hitters that can compete with bookers down to one note meh bottles. But they are never undrinkable so I’ll keep riding the gravy train.
Wow they dropped 15yr!?! That sucks. Only knob creek i like other than some of rye picks. 9yr and 12yr just have too much of that peanut funk i cant stand. Didnt get that out of the 15yr. Surprised bookers is $120 at the distillery when i see it for $90-100 everywhere else. I just got little book 8 for $125. The new beam 7 i cant stand either. Taste like the 12yr KC but cheaper. Same super nutty profile i cant stand.
@@jacksmith2315 yes.. 15 is gone. I agree with you…easily the best of the KC. 12 is too thin for me and the 18 is way too oaky. 15 Has a fruity note for a Beam and definitely blows the other years away. I have not been a fan of the new 7 year but at 20 clams it’s hard to be critical. I have enjoyed (My bottle) of the SiB so that’s worth a spin if you like Bookers. So we are definitely on the same page on profile.
Just picked up a bottle tonight for Father’s Day! Can’t wait to crack it tomorrow. Booker’s is also the one that got me hooked!! Thanks for the review, O-H!!!
From one Jason to another…thanks a ton for your honesty and frankness even on theses "prestige" bourbons. Your point about comparing this to Knob Creek 12 et al is spot on. Batch chasing is fun…but not a value proposition!
Nice review! My store owner friend lets me have them for 72.00 bucks so I’m always a buyer!!!!
Bookers was the hook for me too!! Still remember getting a sample at a local bar and being a big scotch drinker I wasn't sure. The brown sugar, vanilla spice and oak blew me away. I'll always have a soft spot for these bottles.
I found that the fresh crack was not very enjoyable due to a mildly astringent bite mixed with baking spices. But, the second pour 48 hours later was much better.
I’ve got a similar history with Bookers. It was a breakout bourbon for me after years of Woodford, Wild Turkey 101 and Makers - the first pour I sipped slowly and focused on the different flavors. It comes in a wooden box. It’s good. I still buy one batch a year.
I just got my hands on the 2024 - 01 . Shout out to Columbus Ohio. And all the great bands. I don't miss the wintertime cold. I do miss all the shows. There are so many great venues. Anyway, keep up the great reviews.
Update: I just got the 2024 -02 batch today. Haven't opened it yet. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks again for the great reviews.
Picked up one of these signed by Freddie Noe today! Good addition to my collection
Appreciate the review. I don’t own any Bookers but have tried many. This will be another try at the bar
Doubt I’ll be at the liquor store any time soon. Would rather pick up the M&J group picks. ASW still available would take the Pecan Pie taste all day. Thanks for the heads up Jason.
Just bought and tried my first Bookers: Springfield Batch. I love it!! Huge Beam, KC, Grandad fan, so I'm not surprised. But I have a ECBP B523, and I think the Bookers blows it away. Will def try to get hands on Beam House batch.
Bookers is what made me interested in bourbon years ago. Thanks Jason for review cheers.
Same here. I’m always a sucker for bookers. Used to be super easy to get too
Bookers and Blantons were my first exposures over a decade ago that got me into bourbon.
@@pesky716same here. Blanton's was my first "nice" bottle, and Booker's was my first barrel proof. Probably around 10 years ago when you could just grab one of the Blanton's off of the shelf and come back for the Booker's that was still there a couple weeks later.
Finally found a bar with bookers so i could try before buying, ill have to see if they get this semi-off profile one in. The $99-$129+ around me is just tough to buy if other options are available..like a old forester sbbs or four roses sbbs or if im searching for other really well received bottles that might be hard to find.
Wild how I’m lucky to find one of these in Indy but I go an hour down the road and a store has 30+ stacked of these and a smaller handful of Little Book. As much as I hunt I feel like I would stumble upon that many or it’s just unequal distribution.
I just can't keep up with these batches! I never even laid eyes upon The Springfield Batch until a few days ago when I spied a bottle in the office of my Grocery Store's Liquor Dept. Manager. Let's see what you think (rubs hands together)... Sounds good so far... caramel apples, some "peanut". I find it interesting that you didn't get the "peanut" from the previous batch, either.
Wasn't the first batch of this year 2024-1 a MSRP of $89.99? if so, It seems odd that MSRP could change from batch to batch.
i went around and checked out leftovers from this past weekends drop, and bookers is all over the place still. I picked up one, and it brought me here.
Yea i still see storyteller batch and springfield batch a lot. Havent seen this one yet. Storyteller wasnt bad, hadnt tried springfield.
“Jim Beam profile concentrate” nutty bookers profile is why I buy bookers 😁😁🥃🥃
My favorite Baker’s 7 is 7yr 2 months I like it over the 8yr batches! This Booker’s sounds great!
bakers its so much better !!!!!
C919 was my first barrel proof. Hooked ever since.
I need to try one!
still kinda new to bourbon, less than 2 yrs, i did pick this up, i do like it, im not sure it was worth $100, mainly picked it up because it was available in my area(NE OH) being still new , i lean more toward a sweeter , less peppery taste and lower proof, still waiting to taste most of BT products, ive found plenty of shelf sitters that i enjoy, the only bottle i have that i really dont like is I.Bowmen port finish... ill take bottle advice ) GG!
Nice review. Looking forward to cracking mine
Bookers was the first cask strength bourbon i had too, i cant even remember which year, but it was while i was more into scotch, and the bookers was just way too hot for me. My brother got it, back when eagle rare was $25 n sat on shelves. I stipped the drinking for awhile, got into bourbon around feb 2023, and have just went nuts collecting. Bookers isnt my favorite, but i do really like kentucky tea batch. Apprentice batch didnt care for, storyteller pretty good, little book 7 and 8 i really like. Im not a big fan of the peanut note in beam and heaven hill products, which is why kentucky tea batch is my fav from the regular bookers line. Even ECBPs i dont care for because the slight peanut, but the picks that are off profile i like. Man...i was super interested in this batch when you said caramel apple, but then when you said it had the slight peanut, it killed it for me. My brother will probably get it, so ill be able to try before i buy lol. Great review as always bud. Cheers
Just got a bottle at Costco for $89.99 best price I’ve seen it in a long time. About to crack it tonight
Knob Creek 12yr is simply a great value and pour!!!!!
I agree with you completely. My problem in Michigan is I see more Bookers than I do KC12. Guess I need to get back to Kentucky to stock up 😊!
KC single barrels 120 pf $50 all day long
Guess my first barrel proof bourbon was wt rare breed but the 2019-01E was the 2nd barrel proof bourbon which definitely got me wanting to try more uncut unfiltered bourbon . definitely holds a special place in my heart to the Booker's batches .cheers Jason for your review .I will probably never see this here in Australia since it seems like we normally just get the first batches of the year😢 but cheers mate🥃keep up the good work🙏
Great review, Jason! I’ll buy one batch of Booker’s a year and it’s always good 🥃🥃 Cheers!
I can't find Bookers anywhere
If that batch tastes like Carmel Apple I am in! I have store pick of Woodford Reserve that has a very similar tasting profile, it's like green apple caramel sucker!
Get Booker's for 79.99 in my area. Fun bottle at that price.
Bookers Cheers 😎
Spot on review, apples dipped in peanut butter is a perfect description. i get the same outta this batch!
Done w Bookers for good. Always hyped but rarely great.
2023-03 Mighty Fine was really good and opened up even more nice over time
You must not have tried any of the bookers from last year. The apprentice batch wasnt worth the price but the rest were
Great review! Thanks, Jason
I would love to find a sweetier bookers, I am not a huge fan a too much peanut, but the one bookers I owned was good.
Thanks for the insight
Another great review!
Booker’s always solid buy!
I was grabbing these for a lot of years ! I don’t think I will keep that up in 2024. Good stuff just better out there for $99
Jason curious how A&B compare to last years hitters Mighty Fine and Storyteller?
I'll have to try that for science. Lol.
Love to meet up and talk shop sometime, I’m also in cbus
my grocery store has it for $112...should i pass or buy?
This is probably going to be a hot take but here we go. Let me translate this part regarding pricing, "I think Booker's was a little ahead of its time in that pricing structure..." Translated to "Booker's was bending everyone over far before the others caught on and started effin everyone for hit n miss batches of mediocre aged whiskey." Don't get me wrong, I have my share of batches that I enjoy, but that has been a bit ago. Also will say I love your reviews and honesty and will always check them out, but they always seem to be mediocre for Booker's at best. Coupled with the fact that they are $110+ everywhere around here is just disappointing for such a large legacy distillery. I mean it is great they come up with wonderful marketing stories for each and the box is nice, but feel like they should be doing better with the juice. Just a insignificant opinion that I am sure I will get grilled on. Would love to get others thoughts.
Lol
Spot on
At least it’s not sourced with deceptive labeling!
I’m a tator however, I’ll buy it if I see it for under $120 out the door!
Jim Beam products are pretty reasonably priced overall though: take the KC12, the new KC10 rye, all of the (older) Hardin's Creek expressions, not to mention so many more of their shelf products *have age statements* at the same prices as their competitors who don't have them. Seems like it's fair that they price their boxed LEs a little higher. 🤷🏼♂️ Vote with your dollars and don't buy them; enough people do that and they'll get the picture.
@eafarrar Have to agree. They do seem to be the king of age statements and their KC stuff is a great value. While most of the KC stuff is not my personal preference much as I'd want it be because I do think it's great bang for the buck, I do very much enjoy the KC12. Not tried the 10 yr Rye yet but can see that in my future :) You are absolutely right. Vote with your money.
@@johncashion8428haha love it. No shame! Love the candor
Just picked this up at Costco for $72.99
I just want them to do the backyard BBQ at least one more time 😩
You referenced peanuts and peanut butter a lot for it not being "in that realm." Haha.
Thought that when I watched it back. Lol. I think it was more of the peanut shell.
@@TheMashandDrum I suppose it's hard not to mention it with any Booker's -- I get even the least nutty ones are nuts compared to other brands. Just givin' you some grief. 😄
Don't know why people pay 100 dollars for this when older Knob Creek store picks sit around at 50-70 bucks. You get all of the beam nutty gloriousness at a fraction of the cost. But hey, different strokes I suppose.
@@jeremybamgbade I agree but hardcore bookers fans say it's not the same.
I do not like 2024-01 at all. Idk if I could see myself pulling the 100$ trigger again.