The same week that Jim Beam announced the first line extension for Little Book, the company has now unveiled the first innovation from Booker’s Bourbon since 2019 — Booker’s Bourbon “The Reserves.”
The 2024 expression is the first of a new, annual limited-release series by Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Master Distiller, to commemorate his grandfather, 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe, a pioneer of premium bourbon.
The Reserves honors Booker’s legacy by creating a full-flavored American Whiskey inspired by how Freddie believes his grandfather would make whiskey in modern day, the company says.
The first release of The Reserves is an 8- to 14-year-old blend. As always, this Bookers is uncut and unfiltered, cask strength, and pulled from the center cut in the warehouse, following Booker’s vision when he created his influential Small Batch Bourbon Collection.
Due to the scarcity of the barrels, this bottle will release in smaller quantities than the four yearly Booker’s Batches. The Reserves uses fewer, and older, barrels in the blend, meant to achieve a layered and complex flavor profile.
“I created ‘The Reserves’ series to commemorate my grandaddy Booker,” says Freddie. “Liquid like this can take a while to find, but when I do, it feels like the Big Man himself picked them out. It’s just the kind of Bourbon I believe my grandaddy would be making if he were still alive with us now.”
The 2024 release spans eight production dates and eight different warehouses, these barrels were aged as follows:
- 8 Years, 2 Months, 12 Days on the 4th floor of warehouse G
- 8 Years, 5 Months, 19 Days on the 5th floor of warehouse I
- 8 Years, 5 Months, 20 Days on the 5th floor of warehouse Z
- 9 Years, 2 Months, 3 Days on the 5th floor of warehouse Q
- 9 Years, 2 Months, 4 Days on the 6th floor of warehouse J
- 9 Years, 5 Months, 18 Days on the 7th floor of warehouse H
- 10 Years, 3 Months, 2 Days on the 4th floor of warehouse X
- 14 Years, 4 Months, 16 Days on the 6th floor of warehouse I
On the nose is notes of dried fruit and nuanced brown sugar sweetness, the distillery reports, before a palate of rich vanilla with hints of charred oak. The finish brings lingering notes of baking spice.
Booker’s Bourbon “The Reserves” 2024 Limited Edition Bourbon rolls out in limited quantities nationwide across the U.S. The suggested retail price is $129.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
