Booker's Bourbon Batch 2016-01 "Booker's Bluegrass"

Smooth in the mouth, warming/comforting kentucky hug after it goes down. Pretty smooth taste, mostly vanilla/heavy oak tastes. Wish the smell would be better.

Be prepared for some heat, and make sure you add ice or water. The nose has the typical leather and vanilla notes. Drinking neat makes it really difficult to find much flavor besides vanilla. With some ice, the leather comes on strong with the oily taste and the vanilla. It finishes very hot as well, which is a little disappointing because the flavors are very smooth in the middle.

Really enjoying this with my cousin. We added water and it really opened up. Smooth, full, a bit spicy, lots of vanilla and oak notes. Hmmm, better put a few of these on the shelf while the price is OK.

The first time I had this, it shocked me with its strength and intense flavor. Overwhelming, but so... good. Five months later, and I appreciate it even more. Nose of roasted nuts, wood, vanilla, and alcohol heat. You definitely feel the proof, but the flavor is also strong. This is the Beam flavor profile on steroids. Nuts, honey, spice on the palate. Backend is all leather. The warmth is there going down all the way to the stomach, but not as crazy as expected given the proof and the 2x4 that hits you in the face when you first take a sip. Adding a limestone water ice cube brings out even more peanuts and nocino on the nose, tames the heat and heightens the sweetness a bit on the palate. But I recommend taking this straight. It's a force, enjoy the ride. 3/12/17