If Picasso sketched bourbon, it would look like Booker’s, with deep golden and auburn hues. But higher-proof color can deceive. Not here. Think bourbon warehouse: oak, caramel, tobacco leaf, cinnamon, vanilla; floral with hints of honey and blueberry. And then it really comes alive. Oh, baby! Candy corn, crème brûlée, maple syrup, nutmeg, and traces of chipotle and cayenne. The proof strength doesn’t show. I recommend this batch neat for full, unrelenting flavor.

Reviewed by: Fred Minnick (Summer 2016)

Sweet toasted grain, almonds, frozen banana on a Popsicle stick, vanilla, and green tea on the nose. Without water, the palate is overwhelmed by its proof; add a generous amount and you’ll find vanilla, almonds, toasted grain, sweet oak, green banana, and the freshness of mint leaves. The finish is sweet and velvety, with more almonds, toasted grain, and oak. Atypical profile for Booker’s, but plenty to like.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

An appetizing nose of cherry pie, raspberry sorbet, and a sweet citrusy note of lemon meringue pie, along with hints of grapefruit, orange oil, and oak. The palate is almost overpowering, but does offer blueberry pie, quince, allspice, brown sugar, chocolate, banana, and spice. This is a hot and muscular whiskey, so water is definitely recommended. Overall, it’s a big, earthy, oak-laden expression with age, spice, and flavor.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Spring 2022)

Aged 7 years, 1 month, and 7 days. Big and chewy, with nutty toffee, molasses, nougat, tobacco, pencil shavings, subtle fruit, and dried spice (cinnamon, vanilla). Leather, barrel char, and a hint of licorice root on the finish. Big, bold, and very enjoyable.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Fall 2013)

The first in a series of limited edition releases for 2015. Not as rich, thick, sweet, or deep as last year’s classic 25^th Anniversary bottling. This one’s lighter, drier, and with more spice. Cinnamon, mint, nutmeg, licorice root, citrus, and subtle botanical notes, all wrapped up in caramel and vanilla. Dry, pleasant finish. If the 25^th Anniversary bottling was an ideal digestif, this one is more suitable as an aperitif.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2015)

Aged over 6 years, this is a rather feminine version of Booker’s. It’s sweet, relatively gentle compared to previous releases, and quite fragrant (bordering on perfumed—especially on the nose). Creamy vanilla coats the palate, with suggestions of coconut macaroon and marzipan. Dried spice (cinnamon, mint) and drying oak on the finish keep the sweetness in check.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Winter 2015)

Think corn: roasted, canned, creamed, mashed, pan-fried, in salsa, and in bread. The corn pops early and often. This complements hazelnut, caramel pudding, and baking spices. A drop of water really opens this up, softening the corn-heavy notes and bringing forth fruits and spices. Even the finish is better with water. Perhaps this whiskey was meant to have a lower proof.

Reviewed by: Fred Minnick (Winter 2017)

At 6 years, 4 months, and 4 days old, there’s a bit of an old-school bourbon nose, with caramel and butterscotch leading. Chocolate, cinnamon, and nutmeg follow. What starts out promising turns to grain, opening up to cornbread, freshly baked rye bread, and vanilla cupcake batter. Once the chewy-to-dry mouthfeel is established, there’s walnut bread, rice pudding, and buttered toast over heat. With water, the grain disappears and malty caramel dominates. This needs water or ice to maximize potential.

Reviewed by: Fred Minnick (Winter 2016)