After ready practically half of 2022 for the primary Booker’s Bourbon launch of the yr, we didn’t have to sit down lengthy for the second. Round a month after “Ronnie’s Batch” comes “The Lumberyard Batch,” the (comparatively) uncommon version of this whiskey with an age assertion exceeding seven years.
Based on a Beam press launch, this batch is “named in honor of the lumberyard that Booker Noe labored at throughout his pre-distillery years… His expertise on the lumberyard formed the strong work ethic and curiosity he’s recognized for.” Whereas I’m unsure a bourbon can actually encapsulate one man’s work ethic, there’s just one method to discover out.
This 124.8 proof batch was aged 7 years, 1 month, and seven days. That’s noticeably older than many latest releases, and the uncommon batch to exceed a seven yr age assertion, if simply barely. The proof is in keeping with latest tendencies for this expression (0.05% abv greater than 2022-01). Let’s dive in.
The nostril begins candy and that solely will increase with resting time within the glass; that is fairly noticeably sweeter than 2022-01, and it veers far towards the sweeter finish of the standard Booker’s spectrum. There’s loads much less of that smoky spice, and in addition much less of an ethanol kick. The underlying notes are fruity as a substitute of vegetal (once more, a departure from 2022-01), maybe a results of the extra age. Dried orange peel and bread pudding additionally come by way of, and skilled Booker’s drinkers will get a subdued (however nonetheless current) trace of darkish chocolate. It smells downright syrupy, like a recent baked dessert proper out of the oven.
A primary sip is a fast caramel bomb that matches the nostril on sweetness. It’s a contact much less fruity than the nostril suggests, however there are nonetheless noticeable hints. Second and third sips give notes of monkey bread, raisin, and prune. The bourbon sits thick on the tongue with an virtually fatty texture, however not unpleasantly so if you happen to’re within the temper for a sweeter sip. This one might have a couple of pour to essentially discover on the palate.
Peanut hits late on the end and enhances the candy notes properly. There’s no tough interaction between candy and savory right here, and it’s clear which aspect reigns supreme. Although Lumberyard Batch actually makes its proof recognized, this drinks decrease than 124.8, an solely reasonably spicy drinker that beckons tasters to take their time.
When sampled neat, that “basic” Beam peanut observe (some may say hazelnut) comes late right here. Nonetheless, just a few drops of water carry on Lumberyard’s nuttier flavors a lot, a lot earlier with out compromising the mouth really feel and depth of taste.
If given the possibility, “The Lumberyard Batch” is a launch that will simply convert some hard-and-fast non-Booker’s drinkers. It veers closely towards the sweeter finish of the Booker’s Bourbon spectrum. It pulls again on the smokey notes from earlier releases, bringing extra dessert than BBQ. And whereas it doesn’t boast essentially the most balanced sweetness you’re prone to come throughout this yr, Lumberyard is oh-so-close to standing out among the many superlative Booker’s batches in latest reminiscence.
124.8 proof.
A- / $90 / bookersbourbon.com
Booker’s Bourbon “The Lumberyard Batch” 2022-02
$90
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