Booker’s Donohoe’s Batch 2021-01 Review

The first batch of Booker’s of 2021, the Booker’s Donohoe’s Batch 2021-01, is an ode to a retired employee and close friend of Booker Noe, Mike Donohoe. I don’t know Mike, never heard of him, don’t know what he did, but it doesn’t matter. I’m here to review bourbon and I doubt it would bother Mike that I’m not familiar with his history, which is obviously significant because he’s being honored with this release.

And what an honor indeed. How cool would it be to have a Booker’s batch named after you? The only thing better than having a batch named after you would be to receive a case or two of Booker’s that was named after you. Anyway, circling back to the whiskey, here’s where the bourbon in this one cames from.

16% came from the 2nd floor of 9-story warehouse H
8% came from the 6th floor of 9-story warehouse H
4% came from the 6th floor of 7-story warehouse L
16% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse X
9% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse X
47% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z

Now, let’s get to drinkin’ and see what this batch is all about.

Booker’s Donohoe’s Batch 2021-01 – 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, 11m, 4d
ABV: 62.65%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 2021-01

Price: $90*

“The first release of the Booker’s® Bourbon 2021 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2021-01 ‘Donohoe’s Batch.’ This batch is named in honor of retired Jim Beam employee Mike Donohoe who was also a close friend to my dad, Booker Noe. Without Mike, Booker’s Bourbon wouldn’t exist today” – Jim Beam

Tasting Notes

EYE
Polished oak

NOSE
Banana’s foster, creme brulee, marshmallow, oak, fruit, nutmeg, vanilla candy and some nuts.

This is the most a-typical Booker’s I’ve ever experienced, this is super weird. Good, but weird.

PALATE
Banana’s foster, creme brulee, marshmallow, oak, sponge cake, fruit, nutmeg, vanilla candy and some nuts.

Like the aroma this is super weird, there’s a Banana Quik quality to it that’s interesting and odd. So not the usual, but still not bad.

FINISH
Long -> Banana taffy, oak, leather, nuts and dried fruit.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good, full-round, dry and heavy.

Booker’s Donohoe’s Batch 2021-01 – Overall Thoughts and Score

What the heck is going on with this one? It’s not bad, but it’s not your typical oaky heavy style of Booker’s. This is oddly fruity with some weird taffy-like notes instead of the usual peanuts and dark fruit. It’s bizarre how different it is and how much it sticks out compared to something like the Pigskin Batch. To be clear, I’m not saying it’s bad, because it’s not, just weird for a Booker’s.

This bourbon shows off just how much flavor profiles can change within the same distillery just based on barrel selection. Instead of that dark, leathery, spicy, nutty oaky whiskey we’re so used to, we get this fruity, slightly odd, batch that I’m not sure I could call as Booker’s in a blind, and adding water doesn’t shift it back. Instead, it moves the Booker’s Donohoe’s Batch 2021-01 even deeper into the fruit lane with enhanced banana and candy-sweet notes. Interesting way to start the year off.

SCORE: 3/5

*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.