- MASH BILL: 77% Corn | 13% Rye | 10% Malted Barley
- AGE: Blend of 9-year-old (70%) and 16-year-old (30%) whiskies
- YEAR: 2018
- PROOF: 125.8 (62.9% ABV)
- MSRP: $199.00NOSE: Vanilla | Caramel | Oak | Cooked Cherries | Dried Tobacco | Ripe Banana | Wonderfully Uniform PresentationTASTE: Oak | Roasted Nuts | Chocolate Muffin | Rye Bread | Maple Syrup | Vanilla
FINISH: Long, strong and dry
SHARE WITH: Any bourbon fan, especially Booker’s fans
WORTH THE PRICE: Not for me, but certainly for some
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar unless you’re a Booker’s fanatic.
OVERALL: From its explosive nose to its punch-in-the-mouth flavor and texture, this is what Booker’s fans love. Booker Noe himself created his namesake brand to be powerful, and it does not disappoint. I first tasted “Booker’s 30” with Fred Noe, III, and a press group inside a 40 F rickhouse in November. Cold but still bold, yet the chilly temps numbed its nuances. (Not complaining. Such adventures make this job fantastic.) Four hours later we tasted it again in a 70 F conference room at the distillery: much more aroma and brighter flavors. We even passed around some cured Kentucky ham slices to top it off.