A little background

Jim Beam made waves last year when the label of the Booker’s 30th was found on the TTB website with its monster 16yr age statement. Fast forward a bit and they made waves again after announcing that the release would actually be a blend of 9yr and 16yr bourbon. The reason given was that the original 16yr blend lacked the heavy vanilla notes that Booker himself loved in his bourbon so Fred and Freddy decided to alter the blend. Fred has said he told his dad that he would take care of his beloved Booker’s so I believe that the change in the blend was done with the best intentions. So let’s see if the gamble paid off on this 125.8 Limited Edition release of Booker’s 30th Anniversary. Retail price of $199.

(Tasted neat from a Teku 11.2 oz
Glass)

Color

Dark Chestnut

Nose

Vanilla extract, figs, brown sugar, roasted almond, and nutmeg. The most compelling aspect of the nose is how it transports you into a Jim Beam rickhouse with the thick oaky angel’s share aromatics

Palate

Starts out with heavy vanilla and plum, which then transitions to a whipped cream topped hazelnut espresso.

Finish

Long with sweet oak, brown sugar, maple, and cinnamon…simple but extremely effective.

In conclusion

I’m going to keep this short and sweet. When a Master Distiller with the experience and passion that Fred Noe has makes a decision, it more likely than not is for a good reason. With this release, Fred honored his father’s wish and released a refined Booker’s batch. Bookers 30th Anniversary is just that, refined and nothing short of incredible.