Tastes

4.0 Stars - Excellent; 750 ml bottle This is an excellent bourbon. But I am not sure about all the buzz this particular batch has received. It is sweeter and more approachable. Of the five or so Bookers I have purchased, this is in third place. Brown sugar, dusty peanut, cracked corn, oak, leather. Almost none of the ‘old hay barn’ that I loved in other batches. Rich, complex, and oily. Bookers tends to avoid the overt flavors you get in other bourbons: fruit (cherry, banana, apple), baking spices (cinnamon, clove) and garden herbs (mint, dill). Some of those are in there, but are buried deep. Very unique and very good.

3.5 Stars - Very good; 100 ml sample and 750 ml bottle This is very close to being spectacular. Like the best blends, you can taste the individual components, yet everything works well in combination. Depending on the day, I either get more of the Speyside influence of sweetness (raisins, dates), Highlands dried fruit (apples, pear), island smokey peat, highly aged grain alcohol (similar to CB Hedonism), or a long kiss of oak. This far exceeds the commonly available 18 year olds (Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie) in both taste and value. So why is this not in my spectacular range? I generally am not an ABV snob, but this desperately needs to be 43% or 46%. This whiskey whispers when it should proclaim. Tasting this side-by-side with JW Green… and Green is still the clear winner. Nikka WFTB is similar in taste and price, but also does it better.

2.0 Stars - Nice, but…; 750 ml bottle Everyone knows the middle child gets screwed. The youngest gets pampered. The oldest gets lauded for their accomplishments. Maker’s Mark is the middle child, sandwiched between the regular 90 proof and the cask strength at 113 proof. It comes in a nice red box, probably ideal for holiday gift giving. How does it compare? Bottle is super boring; the gold lettering looks cheap. The flavor turns down everything I like about Maker’s (caramel, vanilla, brown sugar) and turns up the oak. The finish is dry and astringent. The body is thin and flat. The other expressions from Maker’s are dramatically better. This seems unnecessary. If we need something for the holidays, why not put a Christmas theme label on the Cask Strength? If we need something at this proof, why not do a bottled-in-bond?

4.0 Stars - Excellent; 750 ml bottle What a fun discovery! This was a random purchase on the recommendation of a store owner in Kentucky. No internet, no reviews, no research. Just a conversation, person to person. This is like Angels Envy or Amador, but sooooo much better. I enjoyed this bottle, start to finish.

5.0 Stars - Exceptional; 750 ml bottle OESQ. 60.9% Warehouse LE Barrel 87.4U Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Mashbill, yeast, and oak barrel. This is the holy trinity of bourbon. I am an idiot. I have passed by dozens of these store pick single barrels over the years. I realize I may have just won the lottery with this barrel, but…wow…I will certainly play again.

3.0 Stars - Good; 20 ml sample Like Laphroig 10 yr with less iodine.

2.5 Stars - Very nice; two samples Amazing aroma. Flavor is a bit sharp and thin. 15 years ago I remember this being very rich and buttery. Not finding that now.

3.0 Stars - Good; 20 ml sample Rich. Dry. Sherry. I can see why this is popular. I preferred this without water.

3.5 Stars - Very good; 20 ml sample Earthy, loamy. Complex. Old campfire after a recent rain shower. Figs and dates. Tastes 18 years old. I wanted to buy a bottle, but this was sold out after the Scotch tasting. Everyone was buying a bottle.

3.0 Stars - Good; 20 ml sample Mrs Butterworth’s syrup. Carrot cake with raisins. Interesting enough for me to buy a bottle.