Booker's Batch 2023-02 "Apprentice Batch" Bourbon Review & Tasting Notes

 

Today I’m sampling Booker’s 2023-02, lovingly called Apprentice Batch. This batch commemorates the beginning of Booker Noe’s distilling apprenticeship under the tutelage of his cousin, Carl Beam. Carl was in charge of the Jim Beam Distillery and took Booker under his wing. Carl kept telling Booker he needed to experiment and make his whiskey his own.

 

After two years of learning the trade, Jim Beam purchased a distillery in nearby Boston, Kentucky. Carl brought Booker with him to get things up and running. Booker proved himself to Carl, and, in turn, Carl handed over the operation to Booker.

 

Eventually, Booker became Jim Beam’s Master Distiller, and the Boston distillery was renamed the Booker Noe Distillery.

 

Booker’s son, Frederick “Fred” Booker Noe III, is the distillery’s current Master Distiller. Fred originally created Booker’s as a small batch Bourbon to hand out as Christmas presents to his family and close friends. Word revealed how special it was, and demand led to its public debut in 1988.  

 

Booker’s Batch 2023-02 is made from the traditional Beam mash of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley and aged in new American oak with a #4 char level. It carries a 7-year, 1-month, 2-day age statement, is uncut and unfiltered, and is bottled at 62.75% ABV (125.5°). A 750ml package has a suggested retail price of $89.99.

 

Before I do the #DrinkCurious thing, I must thank Booker’s for providing me with a sample of this batch in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

Appearance: I poured Batch 2023-02 into my Glencairn glass and sipped it neat. The liquid was a deep orange amber, and a swirl formed a microthin rim. Sticky droplets hung for several seconds before collapsing down the wall.

 

Nose: An aroma of caramel, pecans, and peanuts blasted from the glass. Oak and tobacco followed. When I pulled the air through my lips, tobacco rode across my tongue.

 

Palate: I found the texture thick as the whiskey coated my entire mouth. The front of my palate tasted caramel, pecan, and corn. At mid-palate, I found vanilla, peanuts, and tobacco. The back featured leather, charred oak, and cherries.

 

Finish: Despite the proof, this Bourbon was warm but not fiery. However, it did numb my tongue quickly. The freight train finish consisted of pecans, caramel, tobacco, oak, cherries, and leather.

 

For curiosity’s sake, and because Fred suggests a few drops of water make things interesting, I took an eyedropper and added two of them. What happened next was, indeed, interesting.

 

The smell of pecans and peanuts overshadowed everything else. The mouthfeel was creamier and thick, rich caramel was at the forefront. Strangely, the level of warmth increased tremendously, making things spicy with cinnamon and rye. The length of the finish was unchanged. Not to pick a fight with Fred, but between the two, I preferred this one neat.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I’ve been impressed with the Booker’s batches I’ve had in the past, and Apprentice Batch fits the bill. It isn’t a shy Bourbon, possesses a lovely mouthfeel, and is full of flavor. I adored the seemingly unending finish. At this price, you’re getting one hell of a great whiskey, and it earns every bit of my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.