Booker's Small Batch Bourbon

Booker's Small Batch Bourbon is an uncut and unfiltered barrel proof product from Booker Noe, who was Jim Beans grandson and also master distiller for Beam for 40+ years (starting in 1960 and until his death in 2004). Booker was a virtuoso for his ability to judge a bourbon's quality. He would select barrels of especially high quality (usually stored in the coveted center rows of the warehouse) and keep them for special occasions. As gifts of these private samples were met with increasingly positive response, he started bottling and selling it in limited quantities in 1988. It has become one of Jim Beam's flagship products.

The label on the front of the bottle reads:

"The whiskey in this package is the highest grade bourbon made by me here at Jim Beam. It is uncut and bottled straight from the barrel. My grandfather Jim Beam liked his whiskey from six to eight years old"

This bottle of Booker's Small Batch Bourbon is bottled at 128.5 proof and is 6 years and 2 months old (Batch C06-K-8). Purchased for $49.99.

Color: A nice mix of honey and gold.

Nose: Sweet, molasses, brown sugar, floral, subtle fruit, intense vanilla, oak, pipe tobacco, charcoal.

Taste: Bold flavors here. Maple and salted caramel notes that quickly give way to a crescendo of black pepper, tobacco and oak.

Finish:  Long and bold. Leather and black pepper.

Conclusion: We should never take for granted the years of history and expertise that it takes to produce a high quality bourbon. This is a very good product; hats off to Booker Noe for sharing it with the world. 

My Rating: B+ (Very Good)

Video Review:

Stagg Jr. Bourbon

Over the course of my bourbon journey I have learned some important bits of information. One of them being: if it says Stagg on the bottle, you probably should buy it. 

This uncut, unfiltered bourbon is aged for "nearly a decade" (no actual age statement on label), and is quite the heavyweight, being bottled at 134.4 proof. It shares the same mash bill as its older brother, George T Stagg. 

Color: Very dark caramel, it is 67.20% ABV after all. 

Nose: A really fantastic nose. Nut toffee, black cherries, snickerdoodle, cinnamon. Spice.

Taste: This is intense. Initial sweetness that is quickly greeted by the heat from the high ABV. Dark chocolate covered cherries, toasted graham crackers. Spicy with notes of cinnamon, black pepper, and tobacco. 

Finish: Cigars, spice, and oak bitterness linger for a long, warming finish. 

Conclusion: Let's start with the facts: This is an uncut, unfiltered bourbon at a high ABV, and it's only $49.99. Yes, its the best of both worlds; this is no consolation prize. The nose is one of my favorites. For most people, 67.20% alcohol may be hard to handle without adding water, but if you're like us and enjoy the bold characteristics that come with high ABV, then you will love Stagg Jr. 

My Rating: A (Great) 

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Willet Pot Still Reserve Bourbon

This one has been sitting on the shelf for a long time- The bottle design (a classic copper pot still) is fantastic and makes for a great conversation piece. This is a single barrel product, so there is always going to be some variation barrel to barrel. This was bottle #58 of 222, from single barrel #9546. It is bottled at 94 proof. I found the flavor profile has grown on me after 2-3 tasting sessions. Purchased for $39.99.

Color: Copper Amber

Nose:Very pleasant. Maraschino cherries, vanilla, clove, dark chocolate, salted caramel, subtle mint. 

Taste: On the front end I'm getting caramel, maple syrup, vanilla, and salted popcorn. This transitions to notes of spice, oak and black pepper.  

Finish: Spice lingers. Buttered popcorn, caramel, spice, oak. 

Conclusion: This is a very drinkable bourbon. It has a unique flavor profile which is subtle yet balanced. It is readily available at most stores so definitely give this one a try! 

My Rating: B+ (Very Good) 

Video Review: 

W.L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon

The wife and I recently went to visit my parents in Memphis for the holidays. My father picked this up and it was on the counter when we arrived. Little did I know he also got us a bottle of William L. Weller for Christmas which we got a few days later. W.L. Weller bourbons replace the rye grain with wheat which makes for a smoother taste. Now, down to business: W.L. Weller Special Reserve is bottled at 90 proof. This was purchased it for $26.99 here in Memphis.

Color: Light Amber with an orange tint

Nose: Very sweet upfront. Vanilla, caramel, burnt sugars, apples, oak.

Taste: Light mouthfeel. Sweetness dominates. Creamy vanilla, honey, caramel, and corn. The mid palate transforms into sour apples and salty butter notes, and ends with notes of water soaked oak.

Finish: "And It's Gone"...short finish. Sweet yet slightly bitter.

Conclusion: Very sweet. It's smooth going down with little to no burn. This is a decent wheated bourbon for the price. Weller bourbons are a tough find these days and that creates a similar hype to more expensive and limited offers. While I think Weller 107 and Weller 12 deserve the hype, this Weller Special Reserve falls short of expectations.

My Rating: C (Decent)

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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon

Happy New Year from The Blundon Bourbon Review! Something about snow just makes me want to drink and review bourbon. Tonight for you I have Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. This is currently my go to, higher proof bourbon for when I don't feel like drinking or opening a bottle of my BTAC or Pappy. KCSBR is aged for 9 years, and is 120 proof. Purchased for $40.

Color: Dark Orange, Amber

Nose: Corn, cherries, brown sugar, bubblegum, cola, green apple.

Taste: (Neat from a Glencarin Glass) Sweet notes of burnt caramel, vanilla, sugar, bubblegum. On the back end I get notes of cinnamon, salt, black pepper followed by a nutty toffee, subtle rye spice, and dry oak.

Finish: Sugar, bubblegum and nut toffee linger with saltly notes taking over for a bitter end.

Conclusion: If you are a frequent flyer with my reviews, you know I prefer barrel proof bourbons with bold flavors. There are alot of good things about this juice; it's readliy available, it's 120 proof, and it has a $40 price tag. The flavors are simple, yet bold and compliment each other well.

Rating: B+ (Very Good)

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