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.

The fourth release of the Booker’s Bourbon 2021 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2021-04 ‘Noe Strangers Batch. This batch celebrates the genuine, social nature of my dad, Booker Noe, and the way he could turn a stranger into a friend for life in no time.

Growing up, the distillery was like Dad’s playground; he loved spending time with his grandfather and everyone else who worked there, asking questions and expanding his knowledge. That’s ultimately how he developed his curiosity and passion for whiskey, and it was how he became such a talented Master Distiller.

The tradition of ‘tagging along’ has continued from generation to generation. I learned much of what I know about whiskey by following in Dad’s footsteps, and digesting all of the information I could while working side-by-side at the distillery. It’s also a tradition I continued with my son Freddie, and one I hope he’ll share with his children in the future.

Tagging along had some other rewards too, such as heading to the nearby lake to cast a line together after a hard day’s work. We all have fond memories of that quality time, and I hope you enjoy this batch as part of your quality time with family and friends too.

P.S: The available Release will be shipped when the order is processed. 

The second release of the Booker’s Bourbon 2023 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2023-02 “Apprentice Batch.” This batch pays homage to the early days of my dad Booker Noe’s career – far before he was the Sixth Generation Master Distiller – when he first learned the art of making bourbon under the guidance of his cousin Carl Beam.

When Booker started working at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont in 1952, Carl became like a mentor to him. Back then, they didn’t have official titles like Master Distiller, but everyone knew Carl was in charge. He didn't put up with any foolishness and made sure Booker was set straight. But even if Booker did mess around sometimes, he was a fast learner and was ready to be put to work, and that quickly got him Carl’s approval.

Two years after Booker started, we purchased a distillery in Boston, KY to increase our production capabilities. Carl and Booker worked closely together to get it up and running, and eventually, Carl handed the reins over to Booker. This is where he was able to experiment and master the bourbon- making process, and later on, the location was renamed the Booker Noe Distillery.

Carl showed Booker the ropes at the distillery, but from there, his approach was sink or swim and it was just the push Booker needed. His apprenticeship under Carl helped him become the Master Distiller and legendary innovator we all remember him as today.

The liquid is a medium amber color from the seven years spent aging in the white oak barrels. The oak-forward aroma is well-balanced with notes of vanilla and toasted nuts, and all together the result is really pleasant. After the first sip, you’ll find the long finish doesn’t overpower the warm taste.

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Our darkest and deepest amber and henna color.

TASTE: Deep and complex flavors of vanilla, nuts and oak.

AROMA: Robust vanilla and caramel notes; slightly smoky.

FINISH: Long and full; perfect for easygoing sipping.

2022 - 04, “PINKIE’S BATCH"

MASTER DISTILLER NOTES

The color of this batch is a rich, golden amber that really shines when you hold it up to the light and admire the glass you’ve poured. The aroma is balanced with brown spice and vanilla notes, which gives you a preview of the taste. When you first sip it, your mouth is filled with Booker’s signature vanilla flavor, and it leaves you with a lingering well-rounded finish. I know my dad and grandad would have enjoyed this batch over a football game, and I’m very proud to name this batch in honor of my granddad, Frederick Booker Noe.

LABEL INSPIRATION

The fourth release of the Booker’s Bourbon 2022 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2022-04 “Pinkie’s Batch.” Frederick Booker Noe, better known as Pinkie to his family and friends, was my grandad. To this day I’m actually not sure where Pinkie got his nickname from, but one thing I do know is that he was someone who always followed his passions, just like I do with whiskey making.

A lot of people thought that Pinkie was in the bourbon business – a good assumption to make about someone in our family – but he worked as the vice president of the local bank. That’s not to say he didn’t enjoy drinking bourbon – he actually was a big fan – but the bourbon business just wasn’t his thing like it was for Dad and is for me and my son Freddie. When Pinkie wasn’t running the bank, he also loved to golf. I remember as a little boy that golf was a big part of his life, and he tried to play as often as possible. So much so that he had an indent in his hip from the golf balls he’d keep in his pocket. Pinkie was also an outdoorsman, with a passion for hunting that he passed down to Booker. He often brought Dad along with him to hunt quail, and I know those were always bonding experiences for them.

MASTER DISTILLER NOTES

The color of this batch is pleasant to the eye with an amber color of a well-aged bourbon. The nose is balanced without too much wood and with hints of oak, toasted nuts, and vanilla. This is the aroma that Dad always looked for in his Booker’s. The taste is balanced with a slight warmth and has a pleasant finish. This batch came out just the way Dad liked it, and I know he would be happy that I named it for Charlie. I hope you enjoy this batch of Booker’s as much as I do.

LABEL INSPIRATION

The first release of the Booker’s Bourbon 2023 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2023-01 “Charlie’s Batch.” This batch is named in honor of Charlie Hutchens, the craftsman behind the signature wooden boxes that each bottle of Booker’s Bourbon comes in. He is also a longtime family friend and former employee of my dad, Booker Noe.

Charlie started his career working at the Booker Noe Distillery. He was quite the storyteller and would entertain others with his tall tales throughout the workday. He was also one to pay close attention to the details, doing something over and over again until it was perfect – just like Dad was with his whiskey. It’s not hard to see why they got on so well.

After several years, Charlie left the business to open his own cabinet shop with his brother. Charlie handcrafted the very first Booker’s Bourbon wooden boxes in his garage, and he’s created every box for us since. He and his brother have expanded their business to create other fine wood products for different brands and projects in the Beam family, including supplying custom furniture to the new Fred B. Noe Distillery – where Booker’s Bourbon is now distilled.

Charlie still lives near our Booker Noe Distillery and enjoys fishing and vacationing with his family in South Carolina. One of these days, my son Freddie and I hope to get out there to fish with him. Our whole family is so grateful for Charlie as he was one of the first people to help us make Booker’s Bourbon a recognizable brand. Charlie is a very worthy recipient of his own batch, and we are excited to honor him.

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Our darkest and deepest amber and henna color.

TASTE: Deep and complex flavors of vanilla, nuts and oak.

AROMA: Robust vanilla and caramel notes; slightly smoky.

FINISH: Long and full; perfect for easygoing sipping.

Maker Notes

LABEL INSPIRATION
The third release of the Booker's® Bourbon 2023 Collection is Booker's Batch 2023-03 "Mighty Fine Batch." This batch is named in honor of the signature phrase my dad, Booker Noe, used to compliment anything he approved of - from his namesake bourbon to his country ham. If you knew Booker, then you knew "mighty fine" was his go-to phrase. He would often get together with other folks in the bourbon industry to taste samples of Booker's Bourbon, and everyone knew he was happy with his selection when he sipped it and said it was "mighty fine," followed by, "that's a damn good batch!". Shortly before Dad passed away in 2004, I selected the barrels for a Booker's Bourbon batch for the very first time. I was a little nervous at first; I had big shoes to fill. After tasting the sample I shared with him, he looked at me and said, "Mighty fine job, son." A lot of people thought it was one of the best batches, but receiving Dad's vote of confidence made it that much more special for me. I'll never forget that moment. Booker was not one to embellish his compliments with many descriptive words, but I have a feeling he would say this batch is mighty fine. I hope you think so too.

TASTING NOTES

COLOR: Our darkest and deepest amber and henna color.

TASTE: Deep and complex flavors of vanilla, nuts and oak.

AROMA: Robust vanilla and caramel notes; slightly smoky.

FINISH: Long and full; perfect for easygoing sipping.