dhsilv2
Booker's Bourbon Batch 2019-03 "Country Ham"
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
October 21, 2019 (edited December 19, 2019)
So I haven't had a bookers in years before this and frankly, I've never been a fan. It's just young whisky that comes in super hot to me, but people keep raving about it and this batch got all kinds of love. I figured what the heck. I also jokingly told Jason of The Mash and Drum he's buying the bottle if it sucks.
Anyway bottle been open about 3 weeks and I've had about 3 maybe 4 pours out of it. Also of note, I just broke the plastic holder in half pulling it out. What a cheap box.
Nose - the alcohol is not muted here 62.35% and coming in at baby young 6 years 4 months and 2 days. Dusty oak, corn, a bit of a red fruit (you could convince me it's an apple). Dusty is my word for this one, I'm expecting a lot of peanut better when I dig in. Water cuts the heat but I'm not getting any new elements here.
Taste - Caramel up front, fades into nutty and oaky beam profile. A bit of water and I get corn alcohol new make elements (that sweet new make spirit, very sweet but simple). Maybe some vanilla but I'm just expecting it as it's bourbon. Maybe some corn nuts and there might be a slightly salty element to this.
It's not bad and if you want high proof whisky it's nice to have something this high proof around. But this isn't a high quality bourbon, it's not even close to being one. This is young, it drinks young, it's simple, it's boring, and water doesn't bring out anything else. There's no transition, the finish is mostly alcohol heat even taken below 40% and some dusty corn and nutty beam notes. No cherries, no cola, no leather.
I'm going with a 1.5 here. Anything over a 1 is well made whisky. 2 means it's actually reasonably well made but not something to seek out unless this is your wheel house. This is just too young, lacks maturity, and I won't even get into price. Maybe I should drink it on ice but at this point I have more water than whisky in my glass and it hadn't changed any flavor points.
70.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Ctrexman Well, based on the bourbon groups I see.. a lot of people are ok dropping 500 plus on bourbon today....it is nuts. As for bookers, I really cant think of a big brand 70 dollar bourbon or even 50 that is less com ppl lex than bookers. hell non store pick knob creeks are far more layers of complexity. It is amazing how 3 more years of age does that.
Everyones palate is different but there is no universe where I would call Bookers extremely one dimensional....imo
Agreed my take is based on the fact most people are not going to spend more than $75, $100 tops on a bourbon.
@Ctrexman while yes bourbon can get over oaked, A 10 year bourbon in my rather long experience cannot be truly great. You just can't get the depth in a traditional bourbon without more time in the barrels. All these methods to speed up aging (smaller barrels, higher floors, and even the heat syncs) can help, but there's just no replacement for age. Bookers to me is a showcase of this. Bring the proof point down in a bookers to 80 or even 70 and start looking for the complex flavors, they're not there. It's an extremely one dimentional whisky and to your point, taste is subjective and if that is a profile you like, well bookers give or take the batch might really hit a home run for you, but that doesn't make it a higher quality bourbon. That said, sadly great bourbon has gotten for the most part REALLY expensive.
This is interesting. I have had all your recommendations except EH barrelpf and highly rate all except the Rare Breed which I found too peppery. That being said I would take Bookers over all of them. Taste is so subjective but Bookers is awesome. It does not need to aged so long as bourbon can become over-oaked. 6-10 years is fine for bourbon , we are not talking scotch here
@ gman4405 I mean if you like ECBP then if you can find them 1920, Stagg Jr, EH Taylor Barrel Proof (getting expensive), Old Grand Dad 114, any knob Creek Single Barrel but store pick are best, Wild turkey Rare Breed. Those are all higher proof and other than EH Taylor barrel proof where I'm not so sure it's available anywhere, the others might be easy to get in your market or not sold at all or highly allocated. MSRP price on all should be under 70 and most are under 50.
I'm fairly new to bourbon and scotch @ apr. 2 years now but I have to say as far as bourbon I have to say Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is one on my favs and probably the best bang for the buck for me ! You can also reach me at [email protected] if easier . Thanks for the offer!
@gman4405 as a rule I try to review with MINIMAL price considerations. This one might have been hit by the price as it's a really expensive bourbon for what it is. But it tends to be if I focus on price it's more so because I feel it is completely out of line with the market and price, not so much "wow this is the best 30 dollar whisky". Honestly giving you a list of whisky for price...I'm not sure i can really do that on the fly. By all means tell me what you like and I'll offer ideas in a price range for you within that area if I have had them.
1.5 may be a little low but I must admit I agree with alot of your review. Can you tell me what are your favorite whiskeys for the price are or no price considered? If so please send reply to Geno @ [email protected] Thank you mucho!