Booker's Bourbon Batch 2017-04 Sip Awhile

Ginger, spice, toasted oak, on the nose. Warming Kentucky hug of cinnamon and baking spice give way to gingersnaps, oak, and vanilla. Love this.

Too strong for my tastes

So, one thing I expect from my Booker's bottles is that, whatever flavor they are, they are potent when they provide it. The nose is a little dull, which feels a bit sacrilege, especially in the Glencarin. The initial taste starts as a bit of a needle effect; that is, the flavor begins very concentrated on the tongue, even if you swish it, and then it absolutely explodes everywhere with no regard. I specifically use the word "flavor" because it's actually quite hard to distinguish it before the aforementioned explosion. Smooth, perhaps even a bit citrus. This hardly matters, however, because the entire mouth opens to such powerful fire and spice that it's actually hard to contain. Sure, part of it tastes like rye, but much more of it tastes like if you ate a full tablespoon of all the spices that go into a pumpkin pie. I feel like the finish on this one (and my breath included) could absolutely melt fresh snow on the ground. This is beneficial, because this would make an amazing deep winter night sipper.

Deep, ruddy copper color. Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest. Nose it carefully and behind the ethanol you find vanilla and cinnamon, caramel chews, and a hint of buttered popcorn. Full-bodied, thick and dry mouthfeel. Palate is a spicy cinnamon bomb with lots of charred oak, fresh apples on the back palate, with hints of dark chocolate and cherry cough syrup. Finish is long, hot, peppery and dry. Lots of oak, cinnamon, black pepper, and a little mintiness that leaves your mouth tingling.

Strong caramel and vanilla nose. Sweet, with charred oak on the mid pallet. Light, Tannic finish.