Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery
Release Date: March 2025
Proof: 125.7
Age: 7 Years, 2 Months, 4 Days
Mashbill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Color: Deep Amber
MSRP: $100 / 750 mL (2025)
Peanut | Caramel | Cinnamon | Seasoned oak | Pleasant
Caramel | Peanut butter fudge | Cinnamon | Allspice | Honey | Graham cracker | Tobacco | Slight mustiness
Cinnamon | Allspice | Persistent nutty undertone | Lingering spice
The first batch of 2025, which pays homage to Beam’s former CEO who has since passed on, proves to be a meaningful tribute as it’s quintessential Booker’s Bourbon through and through.
The first Booker’s release of 2025, “Barry’s Batch” is named in honor of Barry Berish, former Beam Chairman and CEO who led the company for over 40 years. Berry passed away in early 2024. The batch is made up of barrels from four production dates that were aged in five different warehouses.
Beam bourbons are known for a peanut undertone that’s often present, and Booker’s Bourbon batches tend to frequently highlight this feature to a greater extent. “Barry’s Batch” does exactly that, with peanut at the onset, peanut butter fudge in the midpoint, and a persistent nutty undertone throughout. Splashes of caramel, honey, and graham cracker provide some sweetness and are balanced against cinnamon and allspice on the spicy side. Savory aged flavors of seasoned oak, tobacco, and a slight mustiness on the backend of the palate are also present, but only ever so slightly.
Booker’s Bourbon batches are all different, with different blend percentages, warehouse source locations, and varying ages; however, they tend to be pretty consistent in terms of overall flavor profile. “Barry’s Batch” is no exception. It plays well into the quintessential Booker’s Bourbon flavor profile, making for a release that is sure to resonate with fans.