Booker’s Bourbon Bottle Prices, Sizes & Guide (2023 Updated)

Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin

Booker’s bourbon is among the  “Small Batch Bourbon Collection” produced by the Jim Beam Suntory Distillery. It is a cask-strength bourbon bottled at its natural proof. 

Read on if you want to know more about Booker’s bourbon: price, flavor notes, and interesting history. 

An Overview Of Booker’s Bourbon

Booker’s bourbon is one of the few bourbon brands left bottled straight from the barrel. As a result, its alcohol proof is significantly higher than the industry standard — from 121 to 130.6. The high proof guarantees a harsh alcoholic bite on the palate right off the bat, so the brand recommends adding water to it or serving it on the rocks. 

Booker’s started not as a bourbon sold to the public but as a special present given to family and friends. The sixth-generation master distiller Booker Noe, the grandson of Jim Beam, originally bottled the bourbon as gifts but eventually made it available to the general public a few years later. 

It is also believed that we have Booker Noe to thank for the industry term  “small batch,” referring to the way he made the spirit from a small number of barrels. [1] 

Interesting Facts

How It’s Made

Booker’s is bottled uncut after being aged between six to eight years in charred white oak barrels. It doesn’t go through the traditional chill-filtering or water dilution method, allowing the connoisseur more flexibility in enjoying their drink up until its last ounce. 

However, the master distiller makes sure that any actual pieces of barrel wood are left behind at the distillery location! 

Its Key Ingredients

The spirit has a mash bill of 77 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley, categorizing it as a traditional American whiskey. 

If you can get past its alcoholic bite from the high ABV, you’ll notice an exotic range of floral and nutty notes on the palate, with undertones of charcoal, some smoke, and a charred oak flavor. Other tasting notes include the sweetness of brown sugar, mocha, coffee, clove, and hazelnut. 

Why It’s Released In “Batches” 

While they are known to create the spirits year-round, they only release bottles in limited batches (around four per year). This is mainly because each barrel ages differently and is only released when they’re “ready.”  

Common Booker’s Prices

Type	Size	Alcohol Proof	Average Price
2021 – 01, “Donohoe’s Batch”	750 ml	124.9	Around $158
2021 – 02, “Tagalong Batch”	750 ml	127.9	Around $179
2021 – 03, “Bardstown Batch”	750 ml	125.5	Around $109
2021 – 04, “Noe Stranger’s Batch”	750 ml	124.4	Around $135
2020 – 01, “Granny’s Batch”	750 ml	126.4	Around $302
2020 – 02, “Boston Batch”	750 ml	126.5	Around $144
2020 – 03, “Pigskin Batch”	750 ml	127.3	Around $179
2019 – 01 Teresa’s Batch	750 ml	125.9	Around $84
2019 – 02 Shiny Barrel Batch	750 ml	124	Around $277
2019 – 03,  “Country Ham”	750 ml	124.7	Around $80
2019 – 04,  “Beaten Biscuits”	750 ml	126.1	Around $245
2018 – 01 Kathleen’s Batch	750 ml	127.4	Around $264
2018 – 02 Backyard Bbq	750 ml	128.8	Around $70
2018 – 03 Kentucky Chew	750 ml	126.7	Around $301
2018 – 04 Kitchen Table	750 ml	128.5	Around $507
2017 – 01 Tommy’s Batch	750 ml	128.5	Around $301
2017 – 02 Blue Knights Batch	750 ml	127.4	Around $343
2017 – 03 Front Porch Batch	750 ml	125.9	Around $299
2017 – 04 Sip Awhile	750 ml	128.1	Around $394
2016 – 01 Bluegrass Batch	750 ml	127.9	Around $36
2016 – 02 Annis’ Answer	750 ml	126.7	Around $299
2016 – Le Limited Edition Bookers® Rye  “Big Time” Batch	750 ml	136.2	Around $299
2016 – 03 TOOGIE’S INVITATION	750 ml	129	Around $59
2016 – 04 BLUEGILL CREEK	750 ml	128	Around $208
2016 – 05 OFF YOUR ROCKER	750 ml	129.7	Around $343
2016 – 06 NOE HARD TIMES	750 ml	127.8	Around $295
2015 – 02 DOT’S BATCH	750 ml	127.9	Around $59
2015 – 03 CENTER CUT BATCH	750 ml	127.2	Around $599
2015 – 04 OVEN BUSTER BATCH	750 ml	127	Around $117
2015 – 05 MAW MAW’S BATCH	750 ml	128	Around $386
2015 – 06 NOE SECRET	750 ml	128	Around $299

Compared To Other Bourbons 

1792 Bourbon

1792 Bourbon, named after the year that Kentucky was officially recognized as a state, is a smooth yet complex spirit brimming with sweet caramel and vanilla tasting notes. It is laced with spice mingles on the nose. 

1792 is cheaper, as it costs only around $32. It is bottled at its original 125 barrel entry proof.

Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is a rich bourbon with a rich taste and a chewy mouthfeel. It is relatively friendly and sweet, great for those who prefer light whiskey. It has familiar tastes of citrus, cinnamon, toffee, and cocoa. 

A 750 ml bottle of Woodford Reserve is around $30-ish, still cheaper than Booker’s bourbon. 

Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit is famous for its high rye recipe (a whopping 95 percent). The high rye ensures a spicy nose; however, once you do get past the spice, you’ll taste the honey sweetness of this crisp and clean drink. 

Bulleit Rye costs around $30 per 750 ml bottle, almost the same as the other brands mentioned above.

Related Posts:

• Eagle Rare Bourbon Brand
• Burning Chair Bourbon Brand
• Angel’s Envy Bourbon Brand
• Rabbit Hole Bourbon Brand
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival Events

Popular Booker’s Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

Clermont Smash

Prep Time: 2 minutes 

Total Time: 2 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Bookers bourbon 
• 0.75 oz Falernum syrup 
• 1.5 oz lemon sour 
• 2 to 4 dashes of peach bitters 
• 10 spearmint leaves 
• ice 

Instructions: 

Muddle the spearmint leaves and syrup at the bottom of a cocktail shaker until their natural juices have been released. Pour the remaining ingredients and some ice and shake well until combined. Strain and pour into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. 

Serving: 1 

Tangerine Julep

Prep Time: 2 minutes 

Total Time: 2 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Bookers bourbon 
• 0.5 oz simple syrup 
• 6 to 10 mint leaves 
• ½ tangerine, cut into small pieces (with peel)
• crushed ice 

Instructions: 

Muddle the tangerine, mint, and syrup at the bottom of a double Old Fashioned glass until their natural juices have been released. Fill the glass with crushed ice and add the bourbon. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a mint leaf. 

Serving: 1 

FAQs 

Is Booker’s hard to find?

Yes, Booker’s is quite difficult to find. Not only does the brand release very limited batches, but they are almost always greedily snatched up by aficionados once available. They also don’t put up any sign of when the batches would be released. 

How do you drink Booker’s?

You can certainly drink Booker’s neat, but most people claim that tasting its cask strength is too overpowering. The brand recommends drinking this bourbon with a bit of water or serving it on the rocks. 

Final Thoughts 

Booker’s is one of the only brands that sell cask-strength, uncut and unfiltered bourbon. Sometimes, tasting its harsh alcoholic bite can be quite off-putting. Still, once you get past the initial alcohol heat, you’ll appreciate its complexity, unlike other bourbons you have ever tasted. 

Enjoy it with a bit of water or on the rocks, and you’ll find that this is a delight to drink. 

Reference: 

1. https://www.gearpatrol.com/food/drinks/a36688708/small-batch-bourbon-whiskey/