Booker’s Bourbon (2024 Master Distillers Batch)
Overall Score: 8/10
Overall Value: 4.25/5
Distillery: Jim Beam
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Beam Suntory
Release Date: October 2024
Proof: 130.3
Age: 7 Years, 8 months, 7 days
Blend: 10% came from the 6th floor of 7-story warehouse Z. 11% came from the 6th floor of 7-story warehouse 1. 42% came from the 6th floor of 7-story warehouse 3. 37% came from the 3rd floor of 9-story warehouse J
Color: Amber
MSRP: $90
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Booker’s 2024 ‘Master Distiller’s Batch kicks off with a rich wave of dark red fruits—cherry pie, raspberries, and blackberries—blended with brown sugar and a subtle layer of oak. The signature Jim Beam nuttiness is subdued here, leaning more into sweetness and hints of chocolate, caramel, and even a touch of coconut.
The mouthfeel is full, oily, and silky, delivering a balanced blend of red fruits and brown sugar. It’s surprisingly sweet and the proof (130.3) is present but never overwhelming. Peanut notes emerge after a few sips, adding a classic Booker’s touch, while cream cheese cinnamon roll flavors subtly make their way in. It manages to balance sweetness and oak without leaning too heavily into either side.
The finish starts with cream cheese icing and shifts into rich, fudgy chocolate—think a fresh brownie. There’s also a lingering cinnamon spice, reminiscent of Red Hots. While the oakiness picks up toward the end, it never becomes overly dry. The flavors linger long between sips, leaving a warm and satisfying finish.
This batch showcases Booker’s at its best, blending classic high-proof intensity with smooth, well-rounded flavors. The MSRP of $90 feels justified given the rich nose, well-balanced palate, and long, flavorful finish. Whether you're a die-hard Booker’s fan or just curious about trying a standout bourbon, this one is well worth the price.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 8.5/10
Value: 4.5/5
THE NOSE:
I’m not usually a fan of cherry, but this smells like a freshly baked cherry pie with some dark brown sugar baked in!
I’m not particularly getting the typical Jim Beam profile of nuttiness, it’s sticking to the red fruit profile with a perfect balance of oak underneath.
THE TASTE:
The pour has a full, oily, and silky mouthfeel that presents really well-balanced.
The palate continues that rich brown sugar and red fruit flavor.
It’s very sweet and flavorful, and doesn’t drink high proof at all. It’s not very oak-forward or woody, it’s just enough to keep the sweetness in line.
Toward the end, I start to get cream cheese cinnamon roll.
THE FINISH:
The cream cheese icing flavor continues at first, but it moves to a rich chocolate like a good brownie.
The finish lasts a long time, and the flavors just sit with you between sips.
I also get some sweet cinnamon here as well like those red hot candies.
BUY OR PASS?
I’m not getting any of the typical Jim Beam profile, this feels like high end Buffalo Trace or Stagg Jr. However, this is almost smoother than some of those offerings I’ve had.
I rated our last bottle of Booker’s higher than I expected and this one surpassed that!
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 5/5
THE NOSE:
There’s a rich, dark red fruit profile—think raspberries and blackberries—with that signature Jim Beam peanut vibe.
It smells like a Booker’s pour. If you give it time, you’ll pick up on something almost similar to Jack Daniel’s Coy Hill, with those dark red fruit notes leading into a deep sweetness of chocolate, caramel, and a hint of coconut.
This nose really builds anticipation, so take a few moments to enjoy it before sipping.
THE TASTE:
The initial flavor comes in strong, but leans more toward oak and dryness, which was a bit of a letdown since I was hoping for that caramel and chocolate sweetness from the nose.
After a few sips, the peanut notes make a solid appearance, and the 130.3 proof brings a nice, warm hug—not too harsh, just right for a Booker’s.
THE FINISH:
The finish stays on the oaky and dry side, with no sweetness carrying through, which is a bit disappointing for me.
It’s definitely got that Booker's intensity and is likely a standout batch for those who love that profile, but it’s not quite my palate.
BUY OR PASS?
If you’re a big Booker’s fan, this could easily be your favorite batch of the year. The nose is stellar, but for me, the taste and finish don’t quite live up to it.
It’s heavy on oak and dryness, but for 130.3 proof, it’s impressively smooth—a testament to the quality here.
