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Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
The task placed on Freddie Noe to create a unique whiskey worthy of the Beam bottle lineage is somehow a huge responsibility.
Is Little Book a unique bourbon whiskey with flavors enough to match its proof point? Did the shy descendant of the distiller inherit the skillful tongue of the Beam master?
In this in-depth review, let’s learn more about Little Book Bourbon – price, history, flavor, and various blends.
What’s Little Book Bourbon?
Little Book Bourbon is the brainchild of Freddie Noe, an eighth-generation Beam distiller. It is a unique whiskey series with varying blends, tasting profiles, and alcohol strength.
It consists of five chapters meant to break the ordinary stuff tasted in regular whiskies.
Fred conducted tests and reviews multiple times to ensure the bottles matched the higher-than-usual proof point.
These variants are a mix of aged bourbons, malted rye, Booker’s, and other whiskies. Hand-picked barrels are used to ensure a balance of flavor and character.
Interesting Facts
History & Origin
Freddie Noe is the great-great-grandson of the master distiller Jim Beam, also known as Booker Noe. He aims to create a one-of-a-kind whiskey with the guide of his master distiller father, Fred Noe.
Freddie uses the vast stock bottles of whiskeys inside Beam’s warehouses in this project. He blends high-quality straight whiskeys without using neutral spirits to create Little Book.
Jim Beam warehouses in the US and Canada houses whiskeys of the different (undisclosed) mash bill and varying palates.
How It’s Made
Little Book Chapter 5, “The Invitation,” is the recent addition to the series. It is a mix of malted rye whiskey and bourbons distilled under Freddie Noe’s thorough supervision.
Like the previous releases, they review the nose and palates of the mixture depending on the results they are targeting.
They tried various grain whiskeys made on spirits stored in all Jim Beam warehouses. The depth of the characters is a sign of the thoroughness and dedication invested in these releases.
Age Statement
Each special release bottle has a different age statement. The recent addition, The Invitation, uses a 2-year-old bourbon base, while The Easy uses a 4-year uncut and unfiltered whiskey base.
The Noe Simple Task has a rye whiskey base, while The Road Home uses 9-year-old whiskeys. On the other hand, Lessons Honored uses a 7-year-old Straight Bourbon whiskey as its base.
Ownership & Distillery
Little Book releases are owned and distilled by Jim Beam Distillery. It was released under Beam Suntory Incorporated. It is a special blend specifically produced by Freddie using the vast spirits created by Booker Noe kept in their warehouses.
They blend the spirits inside the distillery to create a blend far from the characteristic aroma to the nose and palate served by the brand. The results are for those who expect something new and those who do not stick to the usual brand offering.
Tasting Notes
| Bottle Type | Palate | Nose | Color | Finish |
| The Easy | sweet notes of vanilla, caramel, rye spice with corn undertone | notes of smokey wood with hints of caramel and grain | rich color of chestnut brown | medium to a long finish with a complex but enjoyable flavor |
| Noe Simple Task | bright, fruity flavors, strong oak notes, rye spice, cinnamon, and vanilla | flurry scents of dried fruits, brown sugar, rye spice, and gummy candies. | golden amber | slightly warm finish that lingers |
| The Road Home | chewy caramel, honey-roasted peanuts, baking spices | vanilla and rye with hints of caramel, oak | golden brown shade, and some auburn hues | sweet and spicy finish with strong oaky notes |
| Lessons Honored | rich almond flavor, charred wood, cherries, dark chocolate | oak, brown sugar, vanilla, cherry candy | yellow gold shade | dry and balanced finish |
| The Invitation | butterscotch, hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted bread | smokey oak, caramel, malted rye, and a hint of nutmeg. | golden amber | long, warm, and savory vanilla finish |
Little Book Bourbon’s Liquid Stream Blends
| Blends/Whiskey Used | |
| Little Book Chapter 01 – The Easy |
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| Little Book Chapter 02 – Noe Simple Task |
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| Little Book Chapter 03 – The Road Home |
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| Little Book Chapter 04 – Lessons Honored |
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| Little Book Chapter 5 – The Invitation |
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Common Little Book Bourbon Prices
| Type | Size | Alcohol By Volume | Average Price |
| Ch. 5 – The Invitation | 750 ml | 58.4% | Roughly $199.99 |
| Ch. 04 – Lessons Honored | 750 ml | 61.4 % | Roughly $168.99 |
| Ch. 03 – The Road Home | 750 ml | 61.3% | Roughly $149.99 |
| Ch. 02 – Noe Simple Task | 750 ml | 59.4 % | Roughly $142.48 |
| Ch. 01 – The Easy | 750 ml | 64.1% | Roughly $ 450 |
Compared to Other Bourbons
Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark is from the distillery created by Bill Samuels Senior in 1853. They are known for their smooth and savory bourbons. Its 750 ml is priced at around $260, which is more expensive than Little Book bourbons.
Knob Creek
Knob Creek is also a product of Beam Suntory, a popular choice for whiskey connoisseurs. The depth and character of their Knob Creek Small Batch “2001 Limited Edition” is very interesting and tasteful.
This is priced at roughly $177 per 750 ml, which is in the same range as Little Book.
Evan Williams
Evan Williams spirits are popular and more expensive than other brands, especially their 23-year-old whiskey. It has a complex taste but has a very smooth texture.
Each 750 ml bottle is priced at roughly $350, which is higher than Little Book.
FAQs
Is Little Book the same as Booker’s?
No, Little Book is not the same as Booker’s. Bourbon fans may notice that the packaging is somehow similar. However, you will know the difference after sticking your nose to the glass once you pour yourself one.
Is Little Book bourbon hard to find?
Yes, Little Book bourbon is hard to find, especially the first edition. Little Book Chapter 1 is rarely found in liquor stores.
Final Thoughts on Little Book Bourbon
The Little Book releases of Freddie Noe show complexity, depth, and character. It is a blend you can expect from somebody from the Beam family. The whiskeys in the book series showed what skill and curiosity could do.
Freddie created special Jim Beam spirits that showed the remarkable talent that runs in the Beam family. The sad thing is that these are limited-release variants, which is why the prices can go high in the open market.
References:
- https://www.pastemagazine.com/drink/whiskey/cask-strength-bourbon-whiskey-scotch-barrel-proof/
- https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/how-to-infuse-spirits-with-herbs-spices-and-fruits
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
