Booker's Bourbon / Batch 2025-02
The Stats
- Distillery: Jim Beam
- Location: Clermont, KY
- Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Age: 7 Years, 1 Month, 20 Days
- Proof: 126.5 (63.25% ALC/VOL)
- Mash Bill: 77% corn, 13% rye, 10% malted barley
- Release: 2025-02 “By the Pond Batch”
- Price: $100
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To honor the Beam family legacy, Jim Beam’s Booker’s line continues its tradition with the 2025-02 “By the Pond Batch.” Aged 7 years, 1 month, and 20 days, and bottled uncut and unfiltered at a fiery 126.5 proof, this release leans into everything Booker’s is known for: big proof, bold flavor, and no apologies. The mashbill, consisting of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley, remains consistent with the Beam recipe, but each batch has its own unique personality. At around $100, “By the Pond” offers a raw, full-throttle experience aimed at those who appreciate bourbon without filters or frills.
Classic Beam at Full Throttle
Booker’s batches carry not just proof but also stories. This one recalls Booker Noe’s backyard pond, a sanctuary of family fishing mishaps, maple leaves, and quiet afternoons. The bourbon inside mirrors that mix of tradition and drama: comforting vanilla and caramel notes alongside a splash of rustic, earthy spice. In a blind tasting, this batch demonstrated the hallmarks of the brand: consistency, heat, and depth, without straying too far into experimental territory. It’s reliable, familiar, and warming, with just enough nuance to keep you hooked like a bluegill on the line.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Vanilla bean, caramel drizzle, and toasted oak. Hints of cola, fresh-cracked peanuts, and a touch of charred wood add rustic depth.
Taste
Creamy vanilla fudge, cinnamon roll with clove, and a flash of strawberry atop warm oak. Grain-driven earthiness balances the sweetness, while the proof delivers a Kentucky hug that feels both fiery and grounding.
Finish
Long, warm, and layered with baking spice, toasted oak, and lingering caramel. The proof makes its presence known, leaving a strong but pleasant hug.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
7.5 / 10 - Good
Booker’s 2025-02 “By the Pond Batch” is precisely what you expect from this series: big proof, classic Beam flavors, and just enough nuance to stand apart. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel or top the all-time Booker’s charts, but it proves once again why this line remains a staple for bourbon enthusiasts. If you enjoy high-proof Kentucky tradition, this batch delivers the goods and might even make you crave a cinnamon roll with strawberries.
Comparable pours for those who like Booker’s consistency and proof-forward profile: Knob Creek Single Barrel, Baker’s 7, and select Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches.
