Booker Noe, grandson of the legend himself, Jim Beam, created The Small Batch Collection, a “group of ultra-premium bourbon whiskies handcrafted in limited quantities from unique recipes, some dating back two centuries”: Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, Baker’s and Booker’s.

Booker Noe originally introduced his own signature bourbon as a holiday gift for his family members and friends, and it wasn’t until later when his bourbon was made available to the public as well. In fact, Booker was the one who introduced the world to small batch bourbon by coining the term.

Booker’s is aged between six and eight years in the very center of the rackhouse and is bottled at cask strength of between 60.5 and 63.5% ABV or, as Jim Beam puts it:

(…) reaching Booker’s standards is a mix of art, science and Mother Nature. It tells us when it’s ready, and then we’ll let you know.

Inspired by a 200-year-old tradition, every batch of Booker’s is bottled uncut and unfiltered.

Facts

Nose

Unsurprisingly, the super high strength is clearly notable. Lots of oak. Vanilla sorbet and caramel sauce. Soft and fruity sweet apple wood smoke.

Taste

Strong and oily. It burns. A lot. Then it burns some more until some toasted oak comes to light, followed by cacao, caramel syrup and cinnamon.

Finish

Long. Sweet and warming. A bit of oak, but without the bitterness.

Overall

Powerful, raw and challenging. A truly unique bourbon!

Score: very good and highly recommended (90 / 100)

Booker Noe, grandson of the legend himself, Jim Beam, created The Small Batch Collection, a “group of ultra-premium bourbon whiskies handcrafted in limited quantities from unique recipes, some dating back two centuries”: Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, Baker’s and Booker’s.

Named after Baker Beam, a grandnephew of Jim Beam, the Baker’s 7 Years Old utilizes a special strain of jug yeast. This yeast, supposedly discovered 60 years ago by Jim Beam, is said to provide Baker’s Bourbon “with a silky smooth texture and consistent taste from batch to batch.”

Baker’s is only aged in the upper floors of the rackhouses for a “robust bourbon flavor” and a “silky, smooth finish”.

Facts

Baker’s 7 Years Old

Nose

Spicy vanilla, joined by hints of caramel. Altogether, not that sweet for a bourbon. Strong notes of sour cherries in the back. The alcohol isn’t noticeable at all.

Taste

Surprisingly silky and smooth, despite the high proof. The sour cherries are back and even stronger. Reminds me a bit of kirschwasser. A nice mix between oak and sweetness, although the oak takes over with time. Ends with bitter chocolate.

Finish

Long. Quite dry, but at the same time also malty-sweet. More sour cherries.

Overall

If bourbons are usually not your thing — this one is definitely different. The Baker’s is less “sweet” than other bourbons, but incredible mature and complex for its age. Anything but an ordinary bourbon!

Score: 88 / 100

Booker Noe, grandson of the legend himself, Jim Beam, created The Small Batch Collection, a “group of ultra-premium bourbon whiskies handcrafted in limited quantities from unique recipes, some dating back two centuries”: Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, Baker’s and Booker’s.

After last weeks’s review of the Basil Hayden’s 8 Years Old (arguably the weakest of the four), let’s get to the good stuff!

Booker Noe, Jim Beam’s master distiller for over 40 years, created the Knob Creek as a homage to pre-Prohibition bourbon. He named it after the same-named small stream that flows a bit south of the distillery. Abraham Lincoln grew up on a farm close to Knob Creek and, as legend has it, he almost drowned in the creek as a child. For Booker Noe, his Knob Creek bourbon was like the sixteenth President of the United States: genuine in character and unwavering in stance.

Contrary to some rumors, the Knob Creek is still nine years old. Jim Beam just removed the age statement on the label for some international markets because (and this made me laugh really hard):

European consumers think of Scotch when seeing aged stated whiskey. (read more here)

Ah yes, those silly Europeans!

Facts

Knob Creek 9 Years Old

Nose

Fresh oak, intense and vigorous, combined with spicy cereals. Sweet undertones of warm caramel. The alcohol is hardly noticeable at all.

Taste

A very oily, almost creamy mouth feel with thick caramel. Becomes spicier with tender pepper and toasted oak. Dark chocolate follows. Ends with notes of cherries.

Finish

Medium. Strong and warming with a lot of oak.

Overall

Intense, vigorous and uncompromising: The Knob Creek rolls over you like a steamroller, but in a very pleasant way. This bourbon lives up to its name.

Score: 85 / 100