Booker’s Tagalong Batch 2021-02 Review

Named after an endearing memory, the Booker’s Tagalong Batch 2021-02 is the second release of 2021 and wow is it different from the 2021-01. I’m not going to get into just how different up here, we need to do some drinkin’ to do that, but let’s just say it’s noticeable.

I don’t have much else to say up here, you all know I’m a big Booker’s fan by now, so instead I’m just going to leave you with the warehouse breakdown and dive right into this bourbon review.

4% came from the 3rd floor of 7-story warehouse 5
3% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse X
13% came from the 5th floor of 9-story warehouse D
33% came from the 6th floor of 9-story warehouse H
40% came from the 7th floor of 9-story warehouse H
7% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z

Booker’s Tagalong Batch 2021-02 – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Region: Kentucky, USA

Distiller: Jim Beam
Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye and 10% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 6 years, 5 months, 0 days
ABV: 63.95%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 2021-02

Price: $90*

“The second release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2021 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2021-02 ‘Tagalong Batch.’ This batch celebrates the way my dad, Booker Noe, learned the ropes at the distillery – by ‘tagging along’ with his grandfather and my great grandfather, Jim Beam.” – Jim Beam

Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy copper

NOSE
Nuts, oak, leather, herbal, baking spices, dried dark fruit and some cocoa.

Gets a bit more herbal as it opens and a bit more alcoholic. It gets sharper as it opens but doesn’t add much more depth. An oddly muted aroma for Booker’s.

PALATE
Oak, dried dark fruit, toffee, baking spice, leather, peanut butter fudge, cocoa, vanilla candy, citrus and a bit of char and pepper.

All the notes missing or muted from the aroma are here, and shouting, in the palate. The volume of the Booker’s Tagalong Batch 2021-02’s palate is nearly deafening.

FINISH
Long -> Nutty, caramel, candy-sweet profile fades to oaky leather.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Nicely balanced, full-body, dry tannic feel.

Booker’s Tagalong Batch 2021-02 – Overall Thoughts and Score

Something has changed a bit with Booker’s this year. Look back at the Pigskin and Boston batches last year and you see solid, classic, Booker’s releases. Fast forward to the present and something has shifted. The Donohoe’s Batch was fruity and this is super nutty. Neither is bad, but they’re missing that oaky spicy punch layered with leathery dark fruit and decadent dark sweets.

I’m not saying that each batch needs to, to even should be, the same, but I feel like these first two have shifted away from the core Booker’s profile we’ve come to know and love. And while I wouldn’t dissuade anyone from picking up the Booker’s Tagalong Batch 2021-02, I would recommend looking for any of the 2020 batches over it, or the 01, before picking this up. It’s good, but it doesn’t scratch that Booker’s itch for me.

SCORE: 3.5/5

*Disclosure: The sample for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.