I always look forward to Booker’s releases because, on the whole, they’re a high-quality bourbon that pulls no punches and this Booker’s Bourbon 2020-02 “Boston Batch” is no exception. I’ll get into the details in the bourbon review below, but know this right away… I need a bottle of this.
There are a lot of whiskeys I get where I’m happy I didn’t get a full bottle. I get a nice 2-4oz sample which gives me enough to do multiple tastings and dial in my review and I’m happy with that because it’s just the right amount, though happy with the whiskey is a different subject. But with Booker’s releases, I’m always sad by the end of the sample because I, almost, always want there to be more!
Booker’s Bourbon 2020-02 “Boston Batch” – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 6 y 3m 10d
ABV: 63.25%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 2020-02
Price: $85*
“This batch is named after the production site where Booker Noe first started his distilling career. The distillery, now renamed the Booker Noe Distillery, is located in the small community of Boston, Ky., and was purchased by the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in the early 1950’s as a second distilling location to increase production capability at the time. Because Boston was removed from the day-to-day of our flagship Clermont, Ky. distillery, Booker was able to experiment with whiskey a bit more and really learn about bourbon-making process. Some may say this is where he found his love of experimentation.” – Jim BeamTasting Notes
EYE
Burgundy
NOSE
Peanut butter fudge, oak, hay, savory herbs, menthol, smoked meat, bacon, menthol, boiled peanuts, Farmer’s Market, dark fruit.
PALATE
Peanut butter fudge, oak, baking spice, Bay Leaves, complex fruit, smoked meat, menthol boiled, peanuts, Farmer’s Market, dark fruit.
FINISH
Long -> Peanut butter fudge, oak, nuts, spice and herbal savory
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Great, heavy full oily rich
Booker’s Bourbon 2020-02 “Boston Batch” – Overall
Aroma is crazy complex and pulls in a massive pillar of peanut butter fudge everything else revolves around – the spicy, the oaky, the rustic, the sweet, everything butts up against the PB fudge to balance and deliver complexity; Palate is an intense delivery of the aroma with the same notes charging through and keeping the PB fudge status quo but again balanced and delicious; Finish starts PB fudge and then slowly fades to oaky-spicy-herbally-nutty awesomeness.
This is just plain good. If you want a quintessentially beautiful modern Booker’s, this is it.
Booker’s Bourbon 2020-02 “Boston Batch” – Final Thoughts and Score
Oak, spice, dark sweets, herbal spice, medicinal notes, dark fruit and between it all, and surrounding it all, peanut butter fudge… this is just plain decadent. I love every aspect of what’s going on and I’m finding something new and interesting each time I go back. This is what I want from Booker’s, this is the kind of dynamic complexity I’m looking for… this is the perfect level of delicate and intense.
Net-net, this Booker’s Bourbon 2020-02 “Boston Batch” is my favorite since Booker’s Kentucky Chew. It’s not fully on that same level, there are some aspects of the KC I like a hair more, but it’s such a good Booker’s that I’m going to be on the look out for this in the stores and stock up on them like I did with the KC. This is a bunker worthy Booker’s.
SCORE: 4.5/5
*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.
Booker's Bourbon 2020-02 Boston Batch Review $85
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4.5)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)Summary
This is THE Booker’s to pick up if you see it on the market. This holds the true essence of Jim Beam in all of it’s peanutty glory and delivered with a host of sweet, oaky, spicy and herbally notes that keep the senses engaged from first sniff to the last drop in the glass.
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