After uneven Booker’s release quality in 2018 I mostly sat 2019 out and didn’t hunt a Booker’s 30th overly hard. I tried a pour from a freshly cracked bottle at Moonshine and found it tasty but a little too hot for me at the time. A few months later I tried it again at a meetup from a bottle that had been open for some time and I really enjoyed it; unfortunately it seemed like it was too late to get a bottle for close to retail. Fast forward to the start of year and my local shop owner pulled out a Booker’s 30th when I went by to grab a bottle for my birthday. Don’t tell my wife but it was my favorite birthday gift that year. Exercising my usual lack of patience I cracked it first thing when I got home and found it was a bit too hot but I was ready to let it open up a bit and try again. Even just two week later I found it much improved.
Booker’s 30th Anniversary
Age: Blend of 9 and 16 year
Abv: 125.8 proof
Price: $200
Neat
Nose: Powerful with a combination of bold spices, rich oak, sweet brown sugar and a faint nuttiness.
Taste: Hot and heavy with oak and spice notes balanced by fainter brown sugar and nutty notes. Excellent, viscous mouthfeel.
Finish: Medium to long dry finish with a fading sweetness and lingering, slightly bitter oak.
Conclusion
About a month of opening up and a good 5-10 minute rest really did wonders here. The heat was still very present but was at an enjoyable level. I really enjoy the profile of older Beam releases(too bad Baker’s 13 year appears to have skipped Austin) and this is no exception.
While it was a little on the hot side and the finish was just good overall I was a big fan of the intensity of the flavors, the specific notes and the excellent mouthfeel. This is a little too pricey and intense for an everyday sipper but it’s a great bottle to pull down when I want something powerful.
TL;DR: Intense, delicious bourbon that is borderline too hot with a mildly disappointing finish
9 - a favorite I always try to keep on my shelf
Fair - Worth the money, happy with my purchase
Scale
Scale
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You can also follow me on Instagram(@atxbourbon) or reddit to keep up with these reviews and my other whiskey-centric adventures.
Quality
10 - an all time favorite, must buy/hunt - Old Rip Van Winkle 2018
9 - a favorite I always try to keep on my shelf - EH Taylor Barrel Proof 2019
8 - an excellent bottle I’d like to have at home - Blanton’s
7 - a great whiskey I’d order at a bar - Rare Breed
6 - a good whiskey I’m still happy to drink - 1792 Small Batch
5 - a whiskey with notable strengths but also held back by some flaws - High West Campfire
4 - a fine whiskey that does not standout in either direction - Evan Williams Black Label
3 - Better than not drinking whiskey but just barely - Crown Royal Deluxe
2 - Mixer only - Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye
1 - Pouring out the bottle, Coke Zero deserves better - Hazmat MGP Light Whiskey
Value
Great - A great deal, I’d buy it again - Eagle Rare, 1792 Small Batch
Fair - Worth the money, happy with my purchase - Rare Breed, A Mid Winter Night’s Dram
Poor - Overpriced, not worth the money - Kentucky Owl Confiscated, Heaven’s Door 10 year