Booker's Bourbon Batch 2015-02 "Dot's Batch"

Batch No. 2 of 2015. I thought the third batch of that year, Center Cut, was one of the very best Booker's batches of all-time. And I love them all. This one is 7 years and 18 days, bottled at 63.95% ABV. Most of you have probably heard enough of me raving about Booker's so I'll just jump right in. Nose: Cherry, peanut brittle, brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla. Cocoa and orange peel as well. Heavy clove, nutmeg, and oak. Alcohol fumes are pungent, but it's expected at the proof. Good start. Palate: Caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and cocoa. Carrot cake, apricot, peach, and orange peel. Surprisingly fruity. Lots of barrel char. Plenty of clove, nutmeg, and oak. The palate is a small step up from an already good nose. Finish: Starts off with some caramel, vanilla. Then it's all spice. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, dill, rosemary, allspice, and a heavy dose of oak. Long a finish as they make. Great stuff. As usual, I love it. I'm guilty of giving every Booker's batch I've ever tried a 5-star rating on this site. Until now. Not much of a drop-off with the 4.5 rating. It's a fantastic whiskey graded on it's own merit. As it compares to other Booker's batches, I found that it does everything well, but fails to truly distinguish from the others in any one way. This is the oldest batch of Booker's I've ever purchased. To get it all these years late for only $80 is a steal. It's practically a collector's item at this point. In fact, that's exactly what it is. If you're a Booker's fan, buy on sight. Strong effort, here.

Still sitting in my collection. After 3 years and 1/2 bottle gone, this expression still carries heavy alcohol on the nose, with leather and oak. Wonderful golden brown hue. Flavor profile is still overpowered with alcohol, but there is a caramel flavor, slight hazelnut, al atop a lasting oak and lasting burn.

Muuy sabroso. Astringente en boca como el orujo blanco. Una pena no haberlo probado añadiendo agua.