Named after the way Booker would “chew” his whiskey the Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2018-03 “Kentucky Chew” is a tribute the whiskey’s namesake. Created, as always, with a roundtable of writers, reviewers and of course Fred himself, this is the latest barrel proof whiskey creation to leave the Jim Beam distillery line and grace our palates.
Like all Booker’s releases, it’s created by mixing different barrels from different parts of different warehouses. The breakdown of this particular batch is below and then it’s on to the review!
- 29% came from the 4th floor of 9-story warehouse D
- 42% came from the 4th floor of 9-story warehouse D
- 8% came from the 4th floor of 9-story warehouse I
- 8% came from the 7th floor of 9-story warehouse I
- 6% came from the 6th floor of 9-story warehouse J
- 2% came from the 7th floor of 9-story warehouse J
- 5% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse N
Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2018-03 “Kentucky Chew” Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Jim Beam’s Words:
Booker’s® Batch 2018-03 is named in tribute to founding distiller Booker Noe and his signature way of tasting bourbon. The term was first coined by a whiskey writer decades ago who enjoyed a bourbon tasting with Booker. To get a good ‘Kentucky Chew,’ Booker would take a sip of bourbon, work it around his mouth and then smack his lips a few times in such a way that it appeared like he was chewing on the liquid.
According to Booker, this technique allowed the bourbon to coat his entire mouth, so he could assess all the nuanced flavors and finish of the whiskey. Today, current master distiller and Booker’s son, Fred Noe, uses his dad’s ‘Kentucky Chew’ method to ensure Booker’s Bourbon embodies and upholds the standards and taste profile that Booker demanded for his namesake bourbon.
Details (price, ABV, age, etc.)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mash bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 6 years 4 months 12 Days
ABV: 63.35%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 2018-03
Price: $75*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Deep ruddy copper
NOSE
Oak, dark fruit, caramel, vanilla, toffee, roasted nuts, cocoa nibs, baking spice (the whole damn rack) and bits of char and candied citrus.
PALATE
Oak, dark fruit, caramel, vanilla, complex dark sweets, roasted nuts, cocoa nibs, baking spice (the whole damn rack) and bits of char and candied citrus.
FINISH
Long -> Oak, baking spices, dark sweets and vanilla.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, full body and a silken feel.
Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2018-03 “Kentucky Chew” Review: OVERALL
Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2018-03 “Kentucky Chew” is my favorite batch of Booker’s in a while; there is magic in this glass that extends far beyond the typical beauty of Booker’s. There is elegance, balance and a feeling with it that transcends my usual thoughts of Booker’s, bourbon, and Jim Beam in general. This is the kind of release I need a backup of.
The aroma is deep and oaky with layers of sweetness and spice that play out evenly and robust. The palate runs down a similar path and the finish keeps the party going. Water unlocks more fruitiness on the aroma and the palate which is different but works well with the deep oak.
SCORE: 90/100 (A-)
*Disclosure: This Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2018-03 “Kentucky Chew” was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Booker's Bourbon Batch 2018-03 Kentucky Chew Review
Booker's Bourbon Batch 2018-03 Kentucky Chew Review Summary
Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2018-03 “Kentucky Chew” is fan-freaking-tastic. Definitely a “should buy”.
Overall
- Nose - 91
- Palate - 90
- Finish - 89
- Balance, Body & Feel - 90
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
I foud this awesome whiskey when I was in st Paul Minnesota and I was looking for a gift for a friend and found this amazing whiskey brookers “chew” it was a big hit. So smooth and silky if you ever need to try a whiskey for the frist time or a when you need a good time this is the one. I have been looking for my hole life and I found the best. You have to try it. Amazing……
Thanks for the info. Came across 2 of these recently and your review helped my decision (not like I was having my arm twisted though).
I was also lucky in December picking up a 30th Anniversary. Great year for Bookers. Keep the reviews coming. Cheers Josh!
Awesome, glad I could help. Cheers Stephen!
Delicious!
Great review as always and your review was especially helpful information in making a buy decision.
The aroma was missing until it had some air time.
I keep tasting candied fruit with a nice even heat finish.
Just keeps me coming back for more!
Now, I want to know what the kitchen table has for us!
Thanks for sharing Jason, cheers!
What I taste first was oak ,and then a burst of other flavors. No unnecessary variations with Bookers; thanks Fred and best regards.
Cheers!
Yes , I need another bottle of this in reserve. Another grand slam from the Beam barrels.
I’m STILL waiting for it to arrive in any of the stores around me :/ Cheers George!
Where is that bookers 30th anniversary I’ve been hearing about all year?
I saw some posts recently about people doing a distillery tasting, so it’ll be coming along soon!
Haven’t tried Backyard BBQ, but I just picked up a bottle of Kentucky Chew and am really enjoying it. It seems to be the most Knob Creek-y Booker’s in awhile, but in all the right ways. In particular, it smacks of pecan pie with lots of vanilla, along with some charred oak.
As you say, Josh, some water brings out more fruit. An excellent bourbon.
Nice, glad you’re enjoying it. I’m still looking for someone to carry the Kentucky Chew, all I can find right now is the BBQ. I need another bottle! ;) Cheers Mark, thanks for sharing!
I love your review, the only disagreement i have is that Backyard BBQ was DIVINE and a lot of my friends have commented that this was the best they have had(BBQ), so maybe its just me, but booker’s is bringing it up a notch this year. With all the new and good bourbon coming out this year, they need to keep their game face on.
Can’t disagree that the Backyard BBQ was good, also can’t disagree that the batches this year seem to be taking it up a notch… guess we’re almost in agreement ;) Cheers Matt!
Great review! I can’t wait to try this. The store around here still have the BackYard BBQ batch. I picked up two more bottle last night so I’m not complaining tho!
Ha, nice. Cheers Jon!