2021 Booker's Batch 2021-04 'Noe Strangers Batch' Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml

Manufacturer's Notes: The whiskey in this package is the highest grade bourbon created by me here at Jim Beam. It os bottled uncut and unfiltered. My grandfather, Jim Beam, liked his whiskey from six to eight years old.

Batch Story: The fourth release of the Booker's Bourbon 2021 Collection is Booker's Batch 2021-04 'Noe Strangers Batch.' This batch celebrates the genuine, social nature of my dad, Booker Noe, and the way he could turn a stranger into a friend for life in no time.

Take for example when Dad took a liking to the products that a salesman was selling. He would call out to Mom and say, "Set an extra plate at the table, I'm inviting this salesman to dinner!" Another time, Dad was invited to a rally for the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, an international brotherhood of active and retired law enforcement officers who share a passion for motorcycle riding. There he struck up a conversation with some of the members, and the next day more than 300 of them were invited to the house for lunch.

His knack for making friends carried into his work as well. Here in Kentucky and out on the road, Dad wouldn't leave a bourbon event until he shook hands with everyone that wanted to talk to him. He'd listen to stories from every customer he met and just like that, they'd become a fan -- and a friend -- for life. Dad taught us to 'treat others how we would want to be treated' -- a lesson our family holds true to this day. It's just a way us Noes are wired.

As you enjoy "Noe Strangers Batch," I hope you'll think of Dad and his generous way of making everyone he met feel at home .Like we always say at the distillery: come as friends, leave as family.

-- Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller

Master Distiller Notes: This batch is made up of barrels from four production dates that were aged in four different warehouses. The breakdown of barrel storage for Booker's Noe Strangers Batch is as follows:

 - 3% came from the 2nd floor of a 9-story warehouse H
 - 27% came from the 5th floor of a 9-story warehouse D
 - 39% came from the 6th floor of a 9-story warehouse J
 - 31% came from the 5th floor of a 7-story warehouse Q

The batch has a nice color coming from the time it rested in charred white oak barrels in our Kentucky climate. I sampled this batch on a rainy morning, and as usual, the first sip told me this was a batch that my Dad would be proud of. The aroma has vanilla and brown spice, and this sweetness continues when it first hits your tongue. Because of where Booker is aged, the inital heat won't overwhelm you and leaves you with a balanced taste. The finish is long and warm, just the way Dad liked it. From the name of the batch that reflects the way he lived his life, to the bourbon in the bottle that tastes the way he enjoyed it, I know my Dad would be proud of this batch.