Booker's Bourbon Collection

The fourth release of the Booker’s Bourbon 2025 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2025-04, “Phantom Pipes Batch”. This batch is named after a curious discovery some of our engineers made in the distillery a few years back: a whole bunch of pipes that don’t lead anywhere at all.

This rye is a tribute to Booker Noe, the legend who served as longtime master distiller for the Beam brands and founded their Small Batch Bourbon Collection (including Booker’s Bourbon and Knob Creek). Put in the barrel back in 2003, the new Booker’s rye was among the “last barrels laid down” by Booker Noe in the final years of his life. Amazingly, Booker’s has never released a rye in all those subsequent years.

Booker’s 25th Anniversary Bourbon was released to celebrate the 25th year of Booker’s Bourbon and includes the oldest whiskey ever bottled for the Booker’s line (9-11 years). But wait, there’s more: these barrels were not just the oldest ever bottled under the Booker’s name, but were also among the last barrels Booker laid down before his passing. Booker’s 25th Anniversary Bourbon was taken from the 5th floor (“center cut”) of the Jim Beam warehouses to get that perfect balance of rustic (oak, grain, leather, etc.) and sweetness (caramel, vanilla, dark fruit, etc.).

This 30th anniversary edition is a joy to sip even at almost 126 proof. The whiskey is smooth and creamy, with notes of vanilla, baked pears, cinnamon, leather, and a touch of smoke, plus enough heat to remind the imbiber that it's still a Booker's.

The breakdown of barrel storage for the batch is as follows:

·      41% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse 3

·      14% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse 1

·      4% came from the 7th floor of 9-story warehouse H

·      32% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse X

·      9% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse G

“Barry’s Batch” Background: In 1995, we hit a big milestone: our family had been making whiskey for over 200 years. It was high time for some festivities, particularly after the rough go of it bourbon had in the 80’s. Barry took the opportunity to throw a party bigger than any we’d ever had, bringing people from around the world for food, drinks, and a good time. All day, Barry brought Beam pride to everyone in the crowd. He stood front and center on stage from morning to night, his energy never flagging, highlighting what we’d accomplished and drumming up excitement for all we were about to achieve.

He hosted the main event of the afternoon, where we invited anyone and everyone named “Jim Beam” to come on over and join the leaders on stage. He proclaimed their names louder than anyone else, proud to be honoring the name above the door. I can still see him, surrounded by dozens of those Jims, beaming. If it weren’t for Barry, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We’re more than grateful for everything he did and everything he was: a real good guy, and truly one of a kind. So, here’s to you Barry, you’ll always be in our hearts. 

The color of “Barry’s Batch” is a bright golden amber, inviting you to lean in and take in the wonderful aroma. The nose is warm and welcoming, with hints of vanilla and a touch of sweetness from the more than 7 years it spent aging in new white oak barrels.  The balanced finish was smooth and left me wanting more – it’s just that good! I know Dad would have loved to celebrate his long-time friend and colleague with this bourbon named after him. I really hope you enjoy Barry’s Batch as much as I enjoyed creating it!

--- Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller

Booker's Bourbon "C-B-16-79" w/ Wooden Display Box (1979)

This is the second batch of booker's ever released, and the second of 2 batches from 1979.  Labels have some visual flaws and the wax has a hairline crack but this is not only a delicious expression of Booker's but definitely a bottle that collectors look for. 

*Vintage booker's has a tendency to leak. in transit and buyers should be aware of that before purchase*