Booker's The Reserves Bourbon Review! How much should you pay?

[@jasonkappel2630]

knob creek sb all day at about $60 in my area of upstate NY

[@thesoozeTJ]

Really enjoying the channel, Jason! Soooo close to that 100k subs - congrats, well deserved.

[@grndhog66]

Grabbed one today for $120, very much looking forward to trying it.

[@geno816]

Limited just means. Same old stuff the way you all wanted us to give it to you in the first place. "Oh, you wanted our basic offering aged more and full proof. Well, here you go. Limited"

[@jasonkappel2630]

amen.....

[@midnitekreapa8372]

I just got the recent "Masters Distillers Batch" for $81 on SALE. I heard nothing but great reviews... I picked it up but don't want to open it yet... I hope you do this review soon

[@krischaney9034]

Answering your question in the opening graphic - Knob Creek 12 in a landslide for me. Also my wife's current favorite pour. Cheers!

[@gene0927]

@@krischaney9034 one of the best cost-efficient bottles

[@BradCooper-m6i]

It sounds like two things…. 1) Jim Beam has too much inventory that they don’t know what to do with. 2) Jim Beam should cut down on the quantity of their products to build up the experience/age/list could on….. of their other products. Bump up the age of Bookers, which is supposed to be special, or put more barrels toward that line at the same age to give the market more.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@BradCooper-m6i that's what I've been saying.

[@WhiskeyandSmoke]

After your review, solidifies that I’m not a total Booker’s fan. I have several bottles but I’m not completely sold on this product line!

[@gene0927]

Since you uploaded Little book Infinite, I was waiting for this review!!!!! Thanks!!!!!

[@mitchrenee]

New subscriber, love the quality of your production, very professional. Excellent information, and really appreciate your knowledge sharing.

[@mattl45]

I complain a lot about prices these days but this one seems fair. I like bookers. Hopefully I can find it.

[@Lawnshrooms]

Rarer and Older, I.e. the age that Bookers used to be before they started going heavy on the 6yrs

[@colear3]

I don't mind that they're putting 6 years in the blend if it's good. As long as the product is great, who cares about the age? It's like pixel peepers in photography lol

[@Lawnshrooms]

@@colear3if only you knew what you were actually talking about. Cheers 🍻

[@JD0124]

Crazy lineup coming at us from Beam! If I can find this at $129.99 and no more, I MIGHT grab it. But I am not going to bend over backwards for it. Thanks, Jason!

[@Richie.Z]

I don’t buy Bookers releases every year so this sounds good to me🥃🥃 Great review, Jason!

[@fdznmstry]

Great review brother! Thanks for all the content

[@nickp5511]

Just picked mine up today from my store owner friend for 93.00 bucks along with the Beam House batch 72.00 bucks and Little Book Infinite 130.00 bucks! Great friend! Beam House was nice and I’m getting ready to try the reserves right now.

[@taylorharkey7442]

Assuming that’s at his cost or somewhere in between? That’s awesome.

[@nickp5511]

@ I’ve seen his invoices from his supplier and they are his cost. I’ve also bought others like Larceny BP’s 41.00-48.00 ECBP’s 48.00-55.00 Bardstown Discovery 90.00-110 Knob Creek 12yr 48.00-52.00 That’s just a few more examples. The low price was a couple of years ago and the higher price is recently.

[@txmike1945]

DIY whiskey project. Do your own "finishing", using various woods like oak, sugar maple, apple, cherry and others. The easy source are wood chunks bought at BBQ supply stores but I have also used woods from my own trees, each gives a unique layer of flavors. Start by making small staves, about 3" long and 1/4 inch square. Treat them at 350 F for about 20 minutes, this brings out certain natural flavors. You can use them that way, or I often use a butane flame to give each a deep char. About one ounce per bottle for four weeks works out well. Mesquite is strong, use it sparingly. Pecan is very tannic, I don't use it. And a big CAUTION, don't use any poisonous woods, the internet is a good source for that information. Happy "finishing", I've been doing it for several years, each batch is one of a kind. My base bourbon is Evan Williams 100 proof BiB.

[@LiteralWhisky]

If you’re passionate about whisky, you’re in the right place! but also please join me on a journey through the world of whisky, where we’ll explore everything from tasting notes and distillery tours to whisky history and cocktail recipes @Literal Whisky Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just starting your whisky adventure, there’s something here for everyone. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and ring the bell 🔔 so you never miss an update. Cheers to discovering great drams together! Sláinte! 🥃

[@lrbtechie]

Hey, Beam is just trying to keep up with Heaven Hill on label counts! 😂

[@fredsmith3001]

The brown wax is a nice touch in homage to the early Booker's. If, and that's a big if, I see this for msrp, I would grab it. This sounds like what regular Booker's should be. I stopped buying Booker's when it passed $60 and now it's a $100 bottle. People snap it up at that price but, to me, the value is just not there.

[@nickp5511]

Update! Having a small pour right now and it’s really nice! Cheers

[@timgargis7565]

Great, thoughtful review. Well done! Cheers!

[@mrfuriouser]

No shame in wearing readers, brother. You earned each and every year! Cheers, mate!

[@chozen_juan]

New sub. Digging this style of review and appreciate the honesty. Cheers

[@enotrilogy]

Pretty sure it's GREAT! It pantsed any Bookers i have....

[@jdereknoyes]

Good review Jason. I don't buy the regular Bookers any more so wont buy this one either. Plus, we wont see it on shelves and if we do itll be $200+ My guess there are plenty of 120 proof KC picks that beat this all day.

[@DaveH8905]

NGL, I am so sick of “rare”, limited, high priced bourbon releases. Very very very tired of it.

[@TheMashandDrum]

I hear ya. Beam is just not stop lately.

[@eafarrar]

Don't buy them then. There's plenty of great stuff on the shelf. I'm not sure if you expect them to throw richer, older whiskeys into mass shelfer blends or what. They'd be lost in those when they could stratify their offerings so that they can reach people in different price brackets.

[@sandeepcheema8279]

Could not agree more. They make what they want and we should buy what we like. If you do not like - walk away. Listen to Jason and make your decision.

[@DaveH8905]

@@eafarrar thanks for educating me like I’m 13 years old, but I’ve been in the bourbon game for 20 years now bruh. I very much understand what’s going on.

[@sandeepcheema8279]

@@DaveH8905 Sorry man I apologize if you feel that way. I am almost out of the bourbon game because there is no end to it. I would not spend over 100 no matter what. But I do watch Jason. May be here and there on unicorns on retail.

[@IsaacBueno-f6o]

Great review. Just a heads up, you accidentally said 20 years instead of 14 (at 10:34). I know you're switching context between this review and the little book, infinite. Cheers

[@TheMashandDrum]

thanks

[@Jrdeck88]

Would it compare to something like Little Book 7?

[@TheMashandDrum]

No. Little book 3 it's closer to

[@GrnEyez64]

Booker's used to be a very solid buy at ~$60 then they raised it to ~$90 and now it is a $100+ crap shoot. I am done with cash grab bourbon pricing. When it comes to Jim Beam, I'll stick with Knob Creek SB or 12yr TYVM.

[@chriswright5050]

Another great review!

[@keithboddie9334]

Yo I grabbed me one of those Knob Creek’s and this one was a store pick. Excellent!🔥 Cheers 🥃

[@ConnoisseurCigar]

Ok, you convinced me to give it a try 😏

[@enotrilogy]

If it would win a blind against your 3 favorite Bookers, it's close to Uber Special (maybe a country ham vs reserve showdown)

[@jamesfenton147]

At first glance… it’s Bookers with an extra year of age compared to the more recent releases

[@theheadofyoutubeco.5102]

14 year in there

[@jamesfenton147]

@@theheadofyoutubeco.5102 yeah, still an 8 year age statement. Regular Bookers has some older whiskey in the blend too, I’m sure

[@theheadofyoutubeco.5102]

@@jamesfenton147 14, 10, & 9 years are in this one. sure wrong booker's sweet spot was center cut of the warehouse and aged for 7 years. For regular bookers they only pull 6 to 8 year barrels.

[@TheBloody81]

Great honest review! Guessing $100 is the norm and another hard pass even if it's good. Cheers! 🤙

[@renardrobinson7518]

Hey Jason. Are you expecting an Old Forester black label pick?

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@renardrobinson7518 yep

[@renardrobinson7518]

@@TheMashandDrum looks like it was delivered to DC.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@renardrobinson7518 yeah we saw that. Unfortunately it does happen. we are getting it back though.

[@renardrobinson7518]

@@TheMashandDrum glad to hear

[@jimm8799]

Will buy at MSRP if I find it.

[@pumpedupdart6859]

Bookers is bing, bang, bam in your face bourbon without much depth and that's what I like about it. If I want a sip that I can sit, examine and get alot of depth out of, I grab BBC Disco, JD SBBP, Larceny BP, Barrel Sea Grass or one of the many store picks I have.

[@jasonjackson3422]

If you had to choose, would you get this or Remus Repeal VIII?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Repeal

[@Danny_Spirits]

Jason what would you pay for a KC12 CS?

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@Danny_Spirits oh man. Hmmmmm. I would pay up to 200 for one since I don't know if it's coming back.

[@35057]

They should make the 4th annual edition of Bookers a rye or high rye. 😋

[@terrencemcdermott5840]

I have a hard time pulling the trigger on Bookers. I feel like it’s price point super be more like 70-80 and the reserve more like 100-110.

[@zoolander221]

I generally stay away from Bookers. Have a couple, but by the time I hear about the good batches, it’s too late and they are gone while the lesser regarded batches hang around, but that’s the bourbon game I guess. I tend to always go after those Knob Creek SB in one of these as you mentioned. Did I ever mention I am not a Mets fan? Ugh, go Phils. Cheers Jason

[@dgsutube01]

Instead of doing a money-grab limited edition to honor Booker, how about putting more of the good stuff in their four-times-a-year Booker's offerings to make them stand out again and worth their currently high price...

[@TheMashandDrum]

Spot on

[@benitogoya]

This

[@johng5710]

Because they know the loyal Bookers fans will still buy all four releases every year anyway

[@gene0927]

@@dgsutube01 they gotta sell their leftover bottles from each release i guess lol

[@0529mpb]

Finishing my last mid-90s Bookers during the pandemic was a mistake. I think I paid $45 for it,

[@javieracosta3439]

They don't last forever. Enjoy em while you can!

[@WoodBilly53]

Try comparing Regular Bookers to Jim Beam black 7 year, aside from proof, taste I think is comparable .

[@Mr_Martell850]

Is it better the the infinity blend?

[@TheMashandDrum]

Yes

[@colear3]

​@@TheMashandDrumEven after opening up?! Dang

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@colear3 yeah the infinite is just flat.

[@colear3]

Every single release these days is limited or rare or very special extra limited and rare. Sick of it. Marketing is ruining whiskey.

[@J53119]

Would you grab this or Bakers 13?

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@J53119 bakers

[@marksmith-tz5ko]

@@TheMashandDrum Baker's on the shelf everywhere you go. This is sold out everywhere.

[@nateduncan7089]

For the Bookers price tag I wish they would just the age statement go up a bit instead of repeating the 7-8 year trend they have been doing.

[@mrpapinchock]

They’re trying to compete with MMCA, RR15, higher aged EC products.

[@charleshancock9958]

Instead of just just making bookers better they release a “special”bookers

[@J53119]

At least for now sold out at the distillery. Tried it there and wasn't blown away. Went with Bakers 13 (you were right.. better than this) and LB8

[@jeffwinbush5039]

On my bourbon budget, I can only afford one Booker's a year. I bought the batch before this one. Probably don't need to have this one. Pass.

[@younglaw81]

The cheapest I have been able to find this for is $229😢

[@matthewmorin7016]

Oh look. Another "rare and limited" whiskey.

[@jbbourbon178]

Retail $129 …..translated as $350

[@Yeahstevoishere]

I’d like to see this go head to head against the booker’s infinite.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@Yeahstevoishere I did that the other night. The bookers is better than the infinite.

[@Yeahstevoishere]

@@TheMashandDrum thanks! I’ll check it out

[@PhatTrumpet2]

Initially quite surprised by the $130 price tag. Expected it to be in the $150-200 range. Utterly unsurprised by the lack of proportions on the card. Come on, Beam-Suntory. Why detail the age of each contributing distillate *to the day* but withhold how much is actually in the blend? Seems rather tone-deaf to what enthusiasts want/appreciate/expect these days.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@PhatTrumpet2 yeah they do the same with all their bookers

[@NolenNova33]

I mean, just let the special release be the 4th quarter installment for the year….over saturation in my opinion. Heaven Hill should to the same…the last release of the year should be the best.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I can see why it's worth 30 over bookers. But bookers is a 60 dollar bottle that I'm seeing for 100. And I'm out :)

[@marksmith-tz5ko]

What nobody will tell you is how few of these barrels were produced. It's in extremely limited quantity. That and the fact it's a first-year bourbon. It's disappearing from the shelves and into peoples' collections quickly.

[@coreyclark6505]

lol the line extensions…. It’s brown water guys. We all need to calm the fuck down.

[@jasonhunt2909]

I really want to love JB. I really do. I love their distillery. I loved the tour. I just don’t love their juice. The KC (12 yrs & less) are solid, but that’s it.

[@ryandeleon222]

This is exactly what ordinary Booker's was described to be! Lol.

[@BuddyFulton]

Probably going to pass even if it comes to my market.

[@kevinbensel8954]

$150! Lol I think they should charge $350. I could sit back and watch everyone claw and climb over top each other to buy this bottle 😂

[@CountyLineCollectibles]

Another Limited, High Priced Bourbon. I feel as if the consumers have brought this upon themselves. If we collectively stop buying into these products, they might go away. But, the secondary market and FOMO are killing us!

[@Amk4792]

So a drop of 14 year old bourbon?

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@Amk4792 that's what I would guess

[@Paul.Breaux]

Yet another bottle that normal folk will never be able to own. Stuff like this is absolutely killing the industry.

[@mahasidha9]

So honest! I used to tell my students my last name is Frank so I must be frank with you and they would say oh Mr. Frank that is so corny! It’s true, honest and direct, never in a mean way just like you; that is what makes your channel so special; it is why people trust you and why you continue to grow. Don’t stray from these values. This is not flattery because flattery by definition is insincere and you already know my last name 😂

[@jbbourbon178]

Sounds like any other bookers

[@jasonford8176]

How could PB&J ever taste bad?

[@caleb_clement_]

I thought bookers was already barrels that would be picked by Booker Noe? Jim beam putting out mediocre stuff again.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Ill take a knob creek 12 that i can get anytime for 60 bucks instead personally.

[@WestCoastWhiskeyDude]

Agreed, I only have 6 Bookers bottles bc in Los Angeles, they were marking them down to about $75 at the grocery stores...over $100+ I'm not buying.

[@jacksmith2315]

KC 12 i find gross. Its got waayy too much of that peanut brittle flavor and reminds me too much of the regular cheap jim beam and jeam 7yr. Bookers is far better.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

@@jacksmith2315 i have the opposite opinion. Knob creek 12 has oak and chocolate and peanut brittle and caramel, where bookers is usually more dusty and peanut shelly. Plus the price on knob creek 12 or even a knob creek single barrel (both $60) are significantly better than bookers, which for some reason is $100

[@jacksmith2315]

​@LeatherDaddy97 KC 12 and 9yr are just gross, to me. There have been a couple single barrel picks i liked, but not many, and only the off profile ones that dont taste like steal peanuts/peanut brittle, like beam and beam 7. The 12 yr is the worst. Ive tried 15yr batch 1 and batch 2, which are significantly better than 12yr and 9yr, because it doesnt have that nasty peanut funk. Not all bookers are good, bu any means. There are some batches of bookers that are have that same peanut funk i cant stand. But there are also some bookers batches that are super sweet, oaky, and dont have that nasty peanut funk, and those are the ones i like. Like kentucky tea batch, which is my favorite. Storyteller is ok, apprentice it meh. Beam house batch is ok. Now, little book chapter 7 and chapter 8, those are really good!!

[@LeatherDaddy97]

@@jacksmith2315 i wonder if you and i read peanut funk differently, because again the 15 was all peanut funk for me. I agree with you on the 9 though, i think that tastes like wax.

[@TruthOverLies]

You lost me at $129.99 😣

[@jasonkappel2630]

Basil Haden doesn't count....

[@TheMashandDrum]

😂

[@whatsthepoint170]

Probably tastes like bourbon

[@jasonw429]

So many gimmicks. Over it.