Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch Review

The last Booker’s release of 2020, the Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch, was a celebration of Booker’s favorite sport and a segue into Football’s largest event of the year. Which made this late-last-year release not only a good release, as usual, but a timely release. Like maybe it was timed and named on purpose…

There’s not much to say about Booker’s that I haven’t already said, in the dozen or so previous reviews but before we dive into this bourbon review, here’s where all the barrels for this pigskin release came from.

32% came from the 4th floor of warehouse X
27% came from the 5th floor of warehouse M
15% came from the 6th floor of warehouse H
14% came from the 6th floor of warehouse L
12% came from the 5th floor of warehouse Z

Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch – 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 y, 7m, 7d
ABV: 63.65%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 2020-03

Price: $90*

White background tasting shot with the Booker's 2020-03 Pigskin Batch bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“Anyone who knew Booker knew his love of football. Whether it was his favorite team on the television or his son and grandson playing in the backyard, Booker loved watching a game and made the sport into a true Noe family tradition.” – Jim Beam

Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy caramel

NOSE
Oak, cherry-heavy dried dark fruit, cocoa, leather, roasted nuts, honeysuckle, brown sugar, spiced and candied orange peel and a touch of vanilla. This is about as classic of a Booker’s aroma as you can get: oaky and darkly sweet with a candied and nutty underpinning.

PALATE
Oak, cherry-heavy dried dark fruit, roasted nuts, cocoa, leather, honeysuckle, brown sugar, spiced and candied orange peel and touches of vanilla and herbal notes. A near carbon copy of the aroma but with the nuttiness sitting higher and a slight herbal punch that’s fairly unique to the Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch.

FINISH
Long -> Oak, dried dark fruit, caramel, vanilla and peanuts that seems to fade for days.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good balance, full body and a heavy oily feel.

Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch – Overall Thoughts and Score

On the whole, I think the Booker’s Boston Batch has the most to offer of the 2020 batches, but this Booker’s 2020-03 Pigskin Batch is no slouch. This is the epitome of that classic Booker’s style that’s created fans the world over.

Whiskies like these are the reason people love bourbon, it shows the depth and complexity that can come from the combination of corn, rye, malt, yeast, water, new oak and time. This is definitely one worth getting.

SCORE: 4/5

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