Bookers 2021-04 “Noe Strangers Batch” was the last batch released in 2021 and we have yet to see batch 01 of 2022 come out so as of writing, this is the most current batch. 2021 was a weird year for a lot of reasons, but in the whiskey world it brought about some odd Booker’s. To be blunt, the first two batches of the year didn’t really taste like Booker’s to me.
Though that all changed with the 2021-03, we saw the classic Booker’s profile come back up and I’m hoping we see it happen again here with 2021-04. With so much changing and shifting so quickly, it would be nice if something could go back to the way it was. But before we dig into the review, here’s the barrel breakdown.
- 39% came from the 6th floor of 9-story warehouse J
- 31% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Q
- 27% came from the 5th floor of 9-story warehouse D
- 3% came from the 2nd floor of 9-story warehouse H
Let’s get to drinkin’!
Bookers 2021-04 “Noe Strangers Batch” – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Bourbon (Straight)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye and 10% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 6 Years, 6 Months, 12 Days
ABV: 62.2%
Batch: 2021-04 (Noe Strangers)
Bookers 2021-04 “Noe Strangers Batch” Price: $100*
Related Whiskey
Booker’s Bourbon 2020-02 “Boston”
Booker’s 2020-03 “Pigskin”
Booker’s 2021-01 “Donohoe’s”
Booker’s 2021-02 “Tagalong”
Booker’s 2021-03 “Bardstown”
Bookers 2021-04 “Noe Strangers Batch” Tasting Notes
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Oak, caramel, hazelnuts, grainy sweetness, toffee, dried dark fruit, vanilla pods, peanuts and a light “fresh clay” earthy note with a bit of baking spice.
Nice classic Booker’s aroma.
PALATE
Oak, caramel, hazelnuts, roasted corn, toffee, dried dark fruit, vanilla pods, baking spice, roasted peanuts and a light “fresh clay” earthy note with a bit of herbal.
Classic, warm, bold, heavy Bookers. Yes!
FINISH
Long -> Oak, baking spice, caramel, vanilla and herbal.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, full-bodied, oily touch dry.
Bookers 2021-04 “Noe Strangers Batch” – Overall Thoughts and Score
Noe Strangers Batch is another return to classic Booker’s and I’m loving it. This is bordering on a 4.5 and has me looking around to see who has it and at what price. Price being the key because like all good, and even some terrible, bourbon these days, price is a huge aspect in what I’ll buy, though still has no impact on the score. And speaking of the whiskey…
Adding water to the 2021-04 kicks up more of the spice which continues to grow as it opens, but never becomes super heavy. That said it is one of the spicier Booker’s I can remember. This goes for both aroma and palate. On the aroma a bit more vanilla also kicks in and on the palate there is more of that oaky and darkly sweet (candy and fruity) profile that builds.
The trend since about 2018 seems to be that the best Booker’s always come out in the back half of the year. With this Bookers 2021-04 “Noe Strangers Batch” being so good and the Bardstown Batch also being quite good, 2021 kept that trend running. I’m curious to see how 2022 will shake out.
SCORE: 4/5 (good, definitely recommend ~ B+ | 87-89)
*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.
Bookers 2021-04 Noe Strangers Batch Bourbon Review $100
Overall
4.3- Nose (4)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4)