The WORST Bookers Release EVER - Don't Waste Your Money!

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[@1955nomad]

I think that the best part of this channel is to see a father and son interact with each other. Keep it up guys.

[@TyRazor33]

Trenton not getting the “oak splinters” joke was absolutely hilarious 😂 love you guys.

[@christopherm.2413]

I can't understand how Jim Beam can charge 90 bucks for a regularly inconsistent product like Booker's, which is usually 6 years old, but knob creek single barrel reserve is 9 years and never disappoints at 60 bucks. 🥃

[@johnpickett8533]

I agree, I get 9 year single barrel Knob that are amazing .

[@systemtrend3194]

Probably just a marketing gimmick to fool the people with money to blow lol.

[@feistyalchemist3980]

The price keeps going up, it keeps selling out. I don't get it either. It sounds like this batch should sit on the shelf and collect dust, but the taters around me won't do their research and will buy it all instantly.

[@scottbaron121]

I've nearly ALWAYS felt the same. There are VERY few Beam products (including Bookers) that trump Knob Creek. Especially considering the price mark up. Thanks for the heads-up, boys. Another hard pass from Bookers.

[@SpicyRok7482]

In my olde age, I have grown weary of questing for $100 - $120 STRONG Peanut juice.

[@dane5896]

I remember when a bottle was $45 and saying "Who would pay that for a bottle of Bourbon" LOL😂

[@randynelson9773]

DUDE for real. In 2016 when I was staying pretty hammered all the time, bookers was my go to and it was $55 a fifth lol

[@cjackson3479]

You know, this statement hits the feels hard. But Charlie's batch is absolutely fantastic btw.

[@jacksmith2315]

​@@cjackson3479i havent tried charlies batch, but i have the kentucky tea batch and thats really good. My brother got this apprentice batch, i dont like it. My brother does, and the ppl he opened the bottle with amd drank half of it liked it. I dont see it.

[@WillWrightTV]

Lol of course the first bottle of Bookers I spring for is deemed “the worst of all time”. 😂

[@peterfootball91]

This was also the first Bookers I've ever purchased. I didn't love it but it's not terrible..

[@jasonhuestis3072]

I picked up a bottle a few weeks back and didn't like it initially. Had an extremely strong peanut oil taste on open and it just drowned out everything else. Now that it's been open about 3 weeks the sweetness is coming out and the nut taste is much tamer. I recommend trying it again after it's been open a bit.

[@sahdadky5533]

I am a novice bourbon drinker and I had an opportunity to try some of this last night. I loved it. Sweet and smooth with no strong burn for me, for a cask strength bourbon. Aroma of both carmel and vanilla. The sweetness was very unique, not over powering, and made it very easy to drink. Some oak, but not too much. Added a few drops of water and it smoothed it out even more. I had to remind myself several times that this was cask strength. Found it locally for $99 and probably will purchase a bottle this week. I am a fan of Knob Creek Single Barrel Select (Barrel Pick) and i enjoy that also, but i found the Booker's to be smoother to me. Keep up the good work guys.

[@garrysimmons111]

I used to enjoy Bookers when it was $45 - $50. Haven't bought a bottle since the prices went nuts (many years).

[@randynelson9773]

Same lol they released an article in Dec 2016 saying they were going to stop producing so much if it and the price would nearly double from the usual $55 a fifth

[@jamesking9807]

Same here. I could get it for $60 up to a few years ago. Now it's $100. I just walk right past it and get the SB Knob Creek.

[@Nicky68Y]

Read the article, bought 2 and that was the last time

[@geland1]

Oh man, we were just on the bourbon trail and I got 2 of these Booker’s Apprentice! Just went for it as I haven’t bought a Booker’s in maybe 10 years….hopefully it will get a little better after opening

[@Lev8orman]

Love it! Yes... IT'S HORRIBLE! Leave that mess on the shelf for me to dispose of for you!

[@williamwright7485]

I enjoy this batch. Buttered popcorn with Tabasco sauce. For me, it drinks below its proof. Maybe there is variation among bottles. Found it at my local Costco. I think it was about 80.

[@GhostCob]

Trenton is on it. Thanks fellas… Blessings from Gettysburg Pa…..

[@CohibaJoe]

“Life is like a bottle of Booker's; you never know what you're going to get.” Easy Pass as this must have been blended by an "Apprentice".

[@patrickrodriguez3095]

Did you guys get a chance to try the Kentucky tea batch? It’s a great one

[@lucastheisen]

Have to disagree. Just cracked the bottle, poured myself a 2 oz dram and thoroughly enjoyed the ensuing hour. Butter, vanilla, waffles... Wife got some cinnamon... Good stuff

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

I wonder how this made it out the door? Jason at the mash and drum thought it was bad too. So how does quality control not catch this? You would think they would be concerned with damaging the Bookers brand?

[@JordanG_3031]

SLB Classics 0:38 Trenton doesn’t leave an expensive whiskey in a hot car SHOCKER 1:02 Crown Apple 23 strikes again 1:56 Homework completed in time 2:05 Trenton knows the alphabet, WHEW 2:50 Trenton may still be learning days of the week 3:05 Kurt treats Trenton so well (rolling the whiskey for him) 3:27 Dirty dish rag note returns 3:59 Kurt’s nose surgery saga continues 4:18 Great La Croix joke 5:55 Full send on the nose 😂 7:22 Asphalt note is what we were waiting for 7:30 lol oak splinter notes 7:36 Lmao 🤣🤣🤣 oaky joke went WAAY over Trenton’s head 8:22 NEVER BUY SUGAR FREE SYRUP 8:52 100% agree Trenton, syrup needs sugar 9:24 Aged in a log cabin note 10:57 Kurt is always prepared with the JIC bottle 12:04 Trenton is willing to bathe in it 12:54 Money bowling lol

[@rebeccatyler5596]

This was, by far, your funniest breakdown!!

[@BSenn11]

They’ve raised the price WAY to high on Bookers…..isn’t worth the money or effort 👎🏼

[@johnpickett8533]

Every Knob 120 is amazing, mostly consistent considering being single barrel. Store picks usually are good. Though I think that could pick better barrels,that being said ,everyone has a different pallet and will pick up on different nuances of the juice.

[@artmejia1173]

I got a bottle for Father's Day and I actually really liked it. I'm usually turned off by big oak but it wasn't overpowering at all and thought it drank way under it's proof. Maybe I got lucky with my bottle. Also this is my first bottle of bookers

[@danielupchurch6024]

I think ur dead on the mark, and not just lucky with your bottle. I think maybe they need to revisit with a fresh palate.

[@navynugget7]

I enjoyed mine as well.

[@jacksmith2315]

My brother has it, i wasnt a big fan of it. He drank half the bottle the day he bought with 3-4 other ppl and they all liked it. I tried after he had a a week or so, so it even had time and room in the bottle to open up, but i still wasnt a fan. Especially compared to the kentucky tea batch i have, which was the one before charlies batch

[@writterttc]

I just picked up a bottle of the Bookers Apprentice this week and my bottle is actually delicious. Sweet, viscous, mouth coating, no bitterness, and a beautiful nose that goes on for days. But considering all the negative comments and reviews, I don’t think I’ll take the chance on buying a second bottle of this batch.

[@jacksmith2315]

@@writterttc everyone has a different palate. We all like different things, and we all taste things differently. Obviously different batches are going to taste widely different, but i dont think different bottles from the same batch will taste all that much different, if at all

[@arthurjenkins3668]

Your right on about knob creek 120 proof, always great, and the store picks even better. Bookers has just gotten too expensive, $110 here, where a knob creek 120 is $49.99 here. Bookers is to hit or miss for the price. Great review, thanks

[@Whiskey6]

I was able pick up a bottle of this last week… to your credit, your “oaky” and “asphalt” notes, corresponded to a a smoky charred oak note for me. I found that this particular Bookers pairs excellent with some smoked meat/BBQ. It has been one of my less favorite releases from them, however. Here’s hoping the bottle will open up some in time! Cheers! 🥃

[@jamesstreet1144]

Since Booker’s has gotten to $130 in my area, I’m passing on them all. Booker’s ain’t that good.

[@fled81]

Ok so I pick up a coco chocolate note and a hint of a citrus and tea on the nose.. the nice heat from the proof… palate I do get the bitter note more like a black tea and slight lemon or orange peel kind of note but not unpleasant.. this was my first bookers and thought it was good. My wife gets the same coco notes as well.

[@TryinitwithOliver]

Thx for the warning

[@robertbooth3367]

Your assessment aligns with a few other reviews so it sounds like the Apprentice needs to finish it's apprenticeship. Perhaps the next release will be a Journeyman edition and meet it's price point in value !? Thanks for sacrificing the $90 for our benefit! Always an honest review with SLB Find your Charlie's batch which got excellent reviews even from Bookers skeptics!

[@pillcozby431]

Sometimes. Bookers needs a couple months to open up. I had the Lumberyard batch and at first I thought it was too hot and oaky. Then I let it sit for a while and came back to it. Totally changed up. Add a couple drops of water too.

[@LoveItorLeaveitFF]

I have the last 4 batches of Bookers. I did a taste test (not blinded which would have to be the next step to rule out any recency or conformational bias) and this one came in second for me. My results were 22-03, 23-02, 23-01 and 22-04. I actually got most of the same notes in the 23 year releases but my 02 was much easier to drink and I didn’t get the ethanol burn which is what put it ahead for me. I know 23-01 was met with a lot of positive remarks but my bottles it was worse than 23-02.

[@jacksmith2315]

My brother has this apprentice batch. Though it does drink below its proof, the flavor just wasnt there for me. And that was after he drank half a bottle and a week or so after opening it. I compared it to my kentucky tea batch, which did drink a little hotter, but had way more and way better flavor, to me anyways.

[@DrDaveB]

I was given a bottle of Little Book 2022 Chapter 6; To The Finish for Father’s Day. Curious what you guys think about the Freddie Noe take off on Booker’s. 117 proof 3 Blended whiskeys in various Barrel finishes plus a bourbon thrown in. Interesting cereal, syrup and sweet wood that sounds a lot better than what you guys just tasted. Unfortunately >$125 here in CA.

[@lilmike79]

Damn. I just bought this 30 minutes ago and then I saw your review. I'm hoping I got a good bottle. Fingers crossed.

[@msspi764]

I tried this at the distillery and it was good. I bought a bottle. One review I read captured this better. It seems a chaotic collection of flavors that just appear and disappear. Not for someone who is expecting a pattern of flavors. I like it because it is so different than typical bourbon. It drinks well below its proof and the spice at the end tastes very different from the spice you get from a Knob Creek.

[@msspi764]

OK, just tasted it again. It's a chameleon. With a bottle that's been opened for a while, pour it in the glass and take a sip. Warm thick feel, vanilla, brown sugar etc. and flavors that flash past, fruits, spearmint. After a while you begin to get an ethanol chemical taste on the finish. Put it down. Pick it up after a few minutes, the chemical taste is gone and it has more flavors with an earthy vanilla finish with just a bit of of spice, stays kind of that way to the end of the glass. Seems a lot of work for a good pour but it's worth it. If you pick it up and taste it once at any point in its journey you get just one part of the elephant. IMHO.

[@mrchilli5618]

The issue with Bookers is that, from what I have read, is that these releases may not be the same here in Canada as in the US. For example the first release is numbered as 2023-1E which I have been told means Export. Apparently ABV and age statements may vary slightly from what is known as Charlie's Batch though the ones where I live match.🎉

[@Whiskeyjack1771]

Have you guys tried Baker's 7 Yr Single Barrel yet? Just picked up a bottle last night off of a recommendation, but haven't cracked the bottle yet.

[@Dwilliams33]

I bought one just to use as trade leverage when I got home. Got a Weller 107 for it

[@_riverlyfe_177]

My son picked up a bottle. We did it head to head with Charlie's batch. Apprentice wasn't horrible, but definitely didn't beat Charlie's.

[@zudosmg]

So what will you guys do with that bottle now? Would you use it for mixes? or keep it as a sipper?

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

I'd send it to the back of the shelf for a few months and come back to it later.

[@wolfe5244]

Sounds like the Apprentice needs to go back to school.

[@ajbucher9440]

Trenton really thought he had oak splinters😂

[@RedSoxFanatic4Life]

This review makes me very happy that I passed on the new Booker’s when I saw it on the shelf recently in favor of a Baker’s 7 Single Barrel (actual age of the batch is 8 years & 10 months).

[@densonsmith2]

There is a reason the master distiller is the master and the apprentice is the apprentice?

[@chrisanderson2356]

4:09 I actually like la croix, but the la croix mean tweets get me every time! If you haven’t ever seen them, please go read them. They are hilarious! One of my favorites is “La Croix taste like if you were drinking carbonated water and someone screamed out loud the name of a specific fruit in the other room” 😂

[@Few_Sips_In]

“Take a bath in that” 😂😂😂

[@TheOnion12]

Now I know why I was able to find a bottle of this for $84

[@IndyGuy65]

Appreciate you guys being honest. That Bookers was the shortest review Jason on Mash & Drum has done, Ever! Also, I am one of those people who loves KC SBR 120 proof but I love the 9yr 100 proof too.

[@WarBorn313]

Opened mine today to share for thanksgiving and no one liked it. I’m not sure what they were thinking with this one. This was my first bookers so I’m kind of put off on trying another. We’ll see.

[@beaudwayful]

Knob Creek single barrel is one of the best deals for 120 proof bourbons. I'm kicking myself now for not getting a bottle of it today...

[@Scott-co4dq]

Saw some Bookers on the shelf Saturday afternoon. Don't know what batch it was because when the store told me the price was $130 you couldn't have found interest in me with an electron microscope. The whiskey gods made up for this about 1/2 hour later when I found ECBP A123 for $65. Life is good!😀

[@bradstrickland3978]

My Sam’s Club has the A123 for $53 and it’s abundantly supplied, I guess it’s invisible to other customers. lol More for me👍

[@Scott-co4dq]

@@bradstrickland3978 Lucky Dog ! My Sam's doesn't even know Elijah Craig exists.

[@Socaldrinking]

What sams club?!

[@bradstrickland3978]

Northwest Indiana. Merriville Sam’s

[@samyang3617]

Did y’all change your camera? Am I going crazy or does the video quality look crazy nice rn

[@jamesappel8747]

When I find a usually good bottle gone wrong, I put it in the cocktail only cabinet. That is a shame. I’m a little immune, I rarely spend motor than $65 for any bottle.

[@chargerguy74]

I’d love to see you guys track down another bottle of 2023-01 Charlie’s batch to review. I don’t think you’d regret it. Absolutely amazing.

[@bdubs1010]

Dang. I heard the 2023-01 “Charlie’s batch” was really good. Heard some local stores had bookers a couple weeks ago so ran out and found one. But it was this 2023-02 “Apprentice”. Paid $99 for it. Haven’t opened it yet. Was hoping it was going to be good but sounds like I gambled and lost. Thanks for your honest review.

[@thebigdubnetwork]

Charlie's Batch is very good.

[@PatrickEllison-wo9jz]

Charlie’s Batch is excellent

[@CruiserDawg]

😂😂😂 You might have to check my throat for splinters. Trent leans over and looks perplexed looking at Kurt's throat. Then the line came. 😂😂 You got him good, Kurt. He'll get you back for that. Great job guys. I appreciate finding the positives with a Caveat attached to it. Thank you for the review. I'll sabe my money on this one.

[@SingleBarrelSB]

was the 2023 01e any good?

[@michaelwelsh9957]

I saw a Bookers at Target but passed for $95. I have tried it and don’t find the value there.

[@rtroyer8963]

Great review guys! I think I'll break out the Knob Creek Cask Strength 127 proof! Cheers!

[@austinc7963]

Picked up a Charlie’s batch today and this scared me until I double checked it was Charlie’s not apprentice

[@codyburgess7034]

If this bottle was $49 would you think it was a better value? Or is the juice still not worth it?

[@FrankRostron-t1h]

Wow. I liked it so much. I bought a second bottle. Difference in palates.

[@Wicked03GT]

I would have to disagree with this review 100%. I just finished a bottle of this and it definitely grew after it was opened. The closer it got to the bottom, the better it got. I've had the Lumberyard as well. At first the Lumberyard was better, but after a couple months sitting on my shelf, the Apprentice batch shined far above.

[@danielupchurch6024]

I very much so enjoyed this release, and I think 23-01 and 23-02 r more like older releases than most of the more recent releases. Definitely think yall need to revisit.

[@StephenMitten]

So agree

[@joshgreen1214]

How is the Bookers 30th?

[@nickp5511]

Sounds like the Apprentice actually made this batch without the Master’s help😃 I really enjoy the Charlie’s batch! Bought a back up of it already!

[@jacksmith2315]

My brother got this apprentice batch and he likes it. He bought it on the way to a friends house and drank probably half the bottle with 3-4 ppl and they all liked it. When i tried it, i didnt like it at all. Seemed very bland. Especially compared to the kentucky tea batch i have that i like a lot.

[@shawic64]

Thank you Guys.

[@rstrunk85]

I was very disappointed in this bottle. TONS of black pepper!

[@spitefulbumm]

This batch is still on the shelf at my local store. Goin nowhere! 😂

[@tylerboswell7380]

I got this batch and I think it's pretty good. It isn't as good as Kentucky Tea or Charlie's, but it's a good batch in my opinion.

[@josephwatts2904]

I stopped buying Booker’s at the big price jump. Can’t justify paying that much for a 6-7 year product!

[@RogueStogie17]

Bummer. 2021 Bookers release is still one of my all time favorite. Haven’t been able to replicate that magic over last couple releases.

[@philb6409]

Thanks y’all; I like that you pulled out the quick comparison. Try to do that more often!

[@benjaminanderson8385]

Neck pour and cask strength…needs a few weeks maybe

[@paulhendershot111]

Thanks for the review on this. If the Apprentice shows up on the allocated shelf at my local store I will be sure to pass on it.

[@PiccJamess]

What batch is this!!!!???? Trent should have said the name of the batch right in the beginning of the video….

[@fredgrebner526]

I won’t buy ANY pricey bottle without a few reviews first. Store picks are an exception.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Hold on. Wait a minute? $85 for a Booker’s? Buy me that is pre 2020 pricing. I just saw this at my l local store for $110. No way in hell I’m buying these anymore.

[@baconator1550]

Oh great just bought a bottle of this… dang it

[@johnk7093]

win some, ya loose some.... Trenton lost a bottle... why don't I remember hearing about that... ohh well, that Knob Creek is a pretty solid dram for sure......

[@clemonsjoey]

I got lucky and found Charlie’s Batch at my local grocery store and got it for $75

[@deankruse4491]

Yeah, I paid 129 bucks for the Pinkys batch.😢

[@DBTdad]

Honesty is greatly appreciated

[@doofinator4285]

Luckily I picked up Charlie’s Batch on a whim a few weeks ago. I went in blind which is something I rarely do so it sounds like I dodged this particular bullet.

[@dwayne7356]

Booker's is one of those small batch bourdons that is truly like wine. You never know what you are going to get year to year. The problem is the price you pay if it isn't to your liking. Other small batch bourdons or barrel proof bourdons, the distillers, if it taste too far from the brand taste, they will send that barrel to be batch blended in there other brands.

[@jporter6253]

I think it’s the 2- batches have been bad! I got Ronnie’s 2-2022 last year, which was my 1st bottle of Booker’s I pulled the trigger on.. was not impressed at all! Haven’t bought one since!

[@craigbutler623]

Charlie's was awesome, bought a bunch of spares for a great price in Canada, thanks for the heads up on this one will steer clear.

[@brentworls8509]

I'm still buying it!

[@ironmantran]

i stop buying bookers since 2016 price hike --- just let the band wagon of hype go ... LET IT GO !

[@pressman1788]

2019-03 was my last batch.

[@kevinmathis1278]

$85 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is looking not so bad now. At least it's delicious.

[@BRBNWolf]

Thanks for saving me the 90 bucks! I’ll just buy two bottles of rare breed now 😊

[@tobyhayes611]

I recently acquired a Charlies Batch Bookers but I haven't tried it yet. For the money, the 9 yr old small batch Knob Creek is hard to beat and the 12 yr old is spectacular.

[@XscarpettaX]

i get that artifical sweetener taste in some batches of Bookers. it puts me off

[@johnwoofter5744]

Try the 2024- 4. Great bottle

[@TheBloody81]

After having Charlie's Batch, I was excited for the next batch and I kept hearing how this batch was a let down.

[@johnivers2697]

Bookers is my favorite whiskey. I find it “interesting” how everyone always drink it neat. Damn right it’s hot, it’s 125-130 proof. I always pour it on ice and won’t touch it for about 10 minutes. It’s a different drink when you do this…Very different. Only way to figure out what your whiskey is to try everything you can.

[@donavan4387]

It’s called “Apprentice Batch” because it’s supposed to give you the taste of a bourbon blended by an Apprentice (not trying to be a smart ass lol) once I figured that out, I found it to be a great Q2 release with a great story behind it

[@joewinckowski]

Just grabbed a bottle of Bookers Mighty Fine batch. I hear good things

[@jfseb75]

I’m not as offended by this as you. Had the bottle for a couple weeks and took my time trying it because of bad reviews. It doesn’t drink like a $90 bottle but it’s ok. I get that green apple slightly sour taste but it’s not awful. It’s too bad you lost the other bottle of bookers. I absolutely loved Charlie’s batch

[@davevogelsang6791]

I saw Booker’s Charlie’s Batch for $125 and passed. Have not seen a positive review on Apprentice, so will not be picking it up. 🥃

[@garyangdoko61]

I think the name sums it up, apprentice as in someone new messed up in blending the juice

[@stevenshuff1369]

Trenton’s hair is salon quality in this video! 👀

[@slbdrinks]

I love you for saying that ❤️

[@safromnc8616]

As a typical Bookers fan, thanks for the heads up guys...don't know that I've ever had a bad pour of KC