Thoughts on Booker's

[Guest]

Couldn't agree more. In fact I wanted a bottle in Brisbane duty free this week, but there was none in the arrival shop

Do you ever get the JD silver select? Thoughts?

[DEelfinn]

Booker's is a go-to for me, especially when I'm at a place with few bourbons. I like it's quality and ready availability. However, it can drink pretty hot, and for me doesn't stand up well next to some others. at $45-50 a bottle, I haven't felt the need to buy one for my own collection. Under 40, I might buy 2 bottles.

[sob0728]

I don't know what is going on in MN, but Booker's has been on sale for $34.99 (sometimes $32.99) at all the big chain liquor stores for more than a year. Baker's is $27.99 at most places. BH is $25. KC is $23-$25. KCSB is $30-$35. It doesn't make any sense why all the small batch collection is so cheap, but I am not going to complain. It is extremely hard to find batch 2013-6 anymore, but there is still plenty of 2013-7 around. I haven't seen any 2014-4 yet. At $35 I don't even feel bad throwing an ice cube in it and using it as an everyday pour.

[tanstaafl2]

Wow...the disparity in price is crazy...$32 to $70...is 51% corn distillate that varied ?

Canadian prices are almost always higher than standard bottles in the US. The previous poster notes he is in Canada.

[Dave43]

Booker's is good stuff, especially if you can find one of the round table batches (e.g. 2013-6, 2013-7, 2014-4, etc.). At $35/each I'd probably buy a case!

From reading Chuck's blog it looks like 2013-7 is not round table. I saw a bottle today for $45 but passed as it's all over the place at $35.

[393foureyedfox]

having some 2013-7 now. very nice stuff

[flahute]

having some 2013-7 now. very nice stuff

[Infidel]

There was a sale for sub $35 several months ago, bought one then went back for more but sold out. For some reason I didn't jump on a same price last weekend, called monday and it was over $50. Seems to run upper $40's average with some places asking much more. Great to know about these round table batches. Need to keep a copy of those in my wallet.

... just looked in the recycling bin and it found 2013-7 - enjoyed very much - probably didn't spend over $45 for it, sort of the current cut off price. Knowing these round table releases I could imagine spending upper 40's or a bit more with confirmation it was an excellent release. So much Beam hatred here, sometimes shy about saying I like most of the Booker stuff.

now where to find batch number reviews?

Edited August 23, 2014 by Infidel
found an empty

[flahute]

Beam hatred? Not sure where you are getting that. Sure, there's not much love for the bottom shelf offerings, but plenty of members here like Booker's and Knob Creek Single Barrel and there was even some recent enthusiasm for Baker's. OGD 114 is a perennial favorite. I'd say there's enough appreciation for Beam around here.

[Infidel]

it exists... the Beam dissing. not afraid to admit the white label in bulk dumped in a used micro barrel for a few weeks makes for a nice drink. Keeping it on track, haven't opened the bottle of 25th, the other I traded in a fair swap.

Certainly spend more on gas driving around to find preferred stuff at a fair price than it is actually worth.

[whiskeyagonzo]

Fox, did you ever try the Booker's 25th?

cheapest Ive ever seen it was $43, and I have it regularly for that....but its usually $45ish here. Easily available barrel proof 7ish year old bourbon....its very respectably priced either way

[Infidel]

Went back to local store, in front was a bottle of C06-B-15, that was the $50 bottle which was up front when the clerk checked price over phone. Went back to check in person and every bottle behind it was batch 2013-7, with a price of $38.

[flahute]

That's an opportunity to stock up right there. I know I would.

[393foureyedfox]

Fox, did you ever try the Booker's 25th?

[whiskeyagonzo]

nope. never even looked for it, as I wouldnt be willing to pay the price for it even if I found it. With Booker's being my second favorite whiskey overall anyway, and at $43, I have little incentive to try to track one down and pay $100+ for one.

I figured you could track down a pour in Louisville for a reasonable price. You should really try it at least once. Very tasty.

[LCWoody]

My thoughts on Bookers........ "Always have one open". I have been drinking them for a long time, and have always liked/loved them.

These are my two favorite batches of Bookers with the 25th anniversary coming in 3rd.

[Hawg73]

I am definitely a Booker's fan! Have always enjoyed this juice and love the proof.

[Infidel]

That's an opportunity to stock up right there. I know I would.

Might do that. Can't say I have anything better for the dollar. Todays purchase is hidden under the hood of the truck, was worried my wife would complain about the purchase.

Strange how they shipped the 25th out of Bourbon country. I traded a bottle back to KY, the other bottle will bunker.

The empty boxes are great for ripening tomatoes.

...went back on the way to the in-laws, bought two more. The clerk gave me the lower price on the C06-B-15, had father in law buy the 2013-7 , now he has good stuff (for me) to drink this week at his house. Based on first impression I prefer the C06-B-15 (would prefer an easy to understand batch system or an online cheat sheet) - seemed to have more of everything. First impression more cinnamon. Wife's impression more caramel. Different glass, more stressful environment for tasting. Even after drinking 4oz, decided to leave him with the 2013-7 full and take the partial bottle home.

[Dannabis]

I would finally try it if I saw Bookers @ $35.

I like OGD 114 and 4r Barrel strength, so it'd be nice to see where it falls.

I generally have seen bookers in NJ and in CO so far for between $50-$60 which is no thank you territory.

[mbroo5880i]

Booker's at $35 would be in my cabinet. Unfortunately, it is closer to $50 in Indy. Normally, I will enjoy a pour when someone else (e.g., work) is paying.

[BourbonGuy]

How much different is the Anniversary Bookers vs the standard?

[393foureyedfox]

My thoughts on Bookers........ "Always have one open". I have been drinking them for a long time, and have always liked/loved them.

These are my two favorite batches of Bookers with the 25th anniversary coming in 3rd.

[TunnelTiger]

In the minority here but just don't like Bookers (or Bakers for that matter) and wouldn't buy it for $10. But that's why we are so lucky that there are so many different bottles available.

[Infidel]

How much different is the Anniversary Bookers vs the standard?

[LCWoody]

how do those old batches compare, woody? I have a C87 batch bottle that Im curious to open, but havent yet.

I think that some of the older batches were a little better (creamier, bolder, lots of wood) than some of the more resent batches. I think its due to the fact that their is more pressure to get more product to market, and they may be using barrels that in the past they wouldn't have used. (Just my opinion) I think in the early days of this bourbon Mr. Booker Noe realy took the best of the best barrels. My most resent favorites was '05.

Also I try to wait for the batches to get over 7 1/2 years. Some of the younger batches have a very corn forward taste to me. That B95 batch is probably my favorite at 8y 9m. It's so smooth and almost no burn. I think you will enjoy the C87 a lot. A word of warning that cork is going to break so have another bottle ready to pour it into.