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Booker's Small Batch Bourbon

A year with Booker

2 594

@Robert99Review by @Robert99

4th Nov 2014

0

Booker's Small Batch Bourbon
  • Nose
    24
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    24
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    94

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This is a review of batch # C04-J-19. This bottle is 40% full and has been opened for a year. Last year it was like everybody is saying. Well... You know... An incredibly bold bourbon with a load of rye spices and red fruits surfing on a big alcohol wave. Of course there was also some nutty notes and caramel but as good as it was, it was not even close to be at complex at it is right now.

The nose is now a bit tame. The alcohol is not as present as it was neither are the rye spices. But don't get me wrong, it still is big and bold, but with more depth to it. To his old nose you add cinnamon both the sugary and the hot types, nutmeg, mint, rose water and lavender. Unbelievable!

Let me tell you the palate is not tame at all. The greeting... The SLAPPING is in your face... and the burning in your throat. The rye spices are back in front with the nuts and then the floral notes and the sugary cinnamon are coming back to give you a long and beautifull finish.

I choose to do a review because I didn't expect such a big ABV bourbon like Booker to change that much with oxygen in a year. And I surely didn't expect to find this mixed of rose water, lavender and sugary cinnamon with nutmeg that I am so found of. It was already a 90 bourbon, but I Have to give it 4 more points for this new depth and finish. So as good as it is from a freshly uncorked bottle, I encourage all of you to take your time and have a go at a year opened bottle. I know. I know. It's gona be tough to wait for it... but try or.... have a friend doing it for you.

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5 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

My bottle of the same batch has been open for about a year, but I don't know that I have noticed so much of a change. Of course I've kept it preserved with gas. Great dram, isn't it?

10 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@Robert99, a very nice review. I also have found that Booker's takes the air very well indeed. That's always a delightful thing when your open bottle actually improves with time.

10 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@Nozinan This bottle was stable up to 3 weeks ago and then changed suddenly in such a nice way. The surprise was total! But as much as the nose and the finish had changed, the palate was almost the same with a little plus.

@Victor Thank you for the nice word. Indeed I find myself lucky to have a few bottles that are improving with time. I usually like the effect of air on my whiskies. That is another topic on which I can learn a lot from you, the expert on residence, as another Connosr member called you. In a few days, I will write another review on an long time open bottle of mine: The Bernheim Original. I hope it will be informative for a few members.

10 years ago 0

@Benancio
Benancio commented

@Robert99. Nice review, great bourbon, it always seem to improve with air and time. I never use gas on my open whiskey and maybe I should. When I store them away I do tape the cork. I have a bookers that's been open for over 3 years, it's amazingly good. Save some the bottle as long as you can and get another one in six months to a year.

Try Knob Creek Single Barrel, he's Bookers little brother.

10 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@Benancio Thaks for the word and don't worry, I have one unopened bottle of Knob Creek Single Barrel waiting for me and one of Baker's as well. Maybe I will have a tasting session with the three of them, that should be fun!

10 years ago 0