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Booker's Bourbon Batch 2016-03 "Toogie's Invitation"
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
March 27, 2020 (edited November 12, 2020)
2016 Booker's Toogie's Invitation: 6Yrs 4Mos 4Days @ 129proof
APPEARANCE: The color of Rich Maple Syrup. Poured into my Glencairn thick and clingy. It took forever to form small slow moving legs.
NOSE: Sweet. Burnt Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Peanut Brittle, Kellogg's Corn Pops Cereal, Honey. If "sticky" had a smell, this is it. There are hints of Orange Peel, Oak, and some Cinnamon joins the party after some time. Despite the 128 proof, surprisingly there isn't much heat on the nose.
NEAT: WOW! This is Rocket Fuel! Syrupy, Clingy, Delicious Rocket Fuel. The Orange Peel is front and center, followed by Vanilla and Honey. The Beam Peanut Funk is there, but sweeter than on the standard Beam. There is a slightly medicinal Cherry note as well. The Oak that is here comes across as slightly astringent. Nice Long Finish with a more than respectable Kentucky Hug. The aftertaste is Burnt Peanut Brittle and it layers with each coating sip. The high proof does start to numb the tongue, so before I lose the tastebuds completely, I add a small capful of spring water.
SPLASH: That little bit of water amplifies the Orange note even more. Adds some Cinnamon and Black Pepper tingle to the mix as well. Another small capful of water and the astringency is completely gone. The Brown Sugar takes over, along with Sticky Caramel and Honey. The whole experience has become like the old school McDonald's Caramel Sundae with Crushed Peanuts sprinkled on it, but in liquid form.
VERDICT: I'm not the world's biggest Beam fan, but man am I kicking myself for not trying Booker's sooner. This bottle was purchased online from Ace Spirits for $40 right before they announced the price jump. Wishing now that I'd gotten two. If you are in a part of the country where "dusty hunting' is a thing, keep an eye out for this one. One of the best bourbons I've ever had. Being stuck at home for the better part of a week now lead me to open something at the back of the cabinet collecting dust. May do another one soon. There's an Elmer T Lee and a Forged Oak lurking back there as well, though they've got a hard act to follow after the Booker's.
40.0
USD
per
Bottle
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Just checked yesterday, and it is actually $90 in NC. *sigh*
@jsk I didn't get much oak from this one, but with so much else going on I didn't miss it. Some extra age definitely wouldn't hurt. I might consider $80 for a Booker's if I'd tried it at a bar/restaurant first.
It is a shame about the price jump on Bookers, although to me it's still within the realm of 'reasonable' compared to the rest of market. But that's at the $66 the Spec's around town carry it for, not sure I'd feel the same way at $80. It would have been nice if new batches got a bump in age to go along with the bump in price. Can't help but wonder how amazing these batches would be at 8 or 9 years.
@Whiskey_Hound If you can find it, I recommend. I'm now thinking of making a Booker's my next purchase, but it is $80 here (even pre-price hike, $60 was the cheapest you could get it in NC). I may settle for a $50 bottle of Knob Creek SiB as a substitute.
@BDanner Nice review! I had a chance to grab this or Center Cut, and I chose the latter. I wouldn't say I'm kicking myself, because CC was probably the best Booker's Batch I've had yet, but now I'm compelled to go back for TI. You solid it well!
@Ctrexman I agree, but they’ve priced themselves out of the reach of their base customer. Here in NC, it sits on the shelf and gathers dust for 10 months a year at $80. It only moves in June (Father’s Day) and December (Xmas) because the box is a nice presentation for gift giving.
Bookers is just frigin awesome