About a month ago, I posted a review of the Basil Hayden’s 8 Year Old Bourbon which I purchased as part of a Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon sampler pack. Since I have already reviewed the Knob Creek Bourbon which was also included in this set, I am now moving on to the second review in this series, the Baker’s 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Here is what Beam Global has to say about this Small Batch Bourbon:
Named after Baker Beam, grand nephew of the legendary Jim Beam, Baker’s® Bourbon is seven-years-old and hand-bottled at 107 proof. Embracing over six generations of distilling experience, Baker’s Bourbon utilizes a special strain of jug yeast that has been in the family for over 60 years. This time tested yeast provides Baker’s with a silky smooth texture and consistent taste from batch to batch.
Let’s jump into this review…
- Appearance: Rich amber color with thick, fast moving legs that form after giving it a swirl.
- Aroma: Has all of the classic bourbon notes, i.e. vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar. There’s also a bit of Rye whiskey type spiciness coming through.
- Taste: Somewhat oily mouthfeel. Although there’s quite a bit of alcohol heat, there is no harshness whatsoever. The cinnamon and Rye whisky style spiciness that I detected in the nose carries through to the palate, and all of that spiciness coated from the tip to the middle of my tongue. The finish is intense and warming, and it lasts for a really long time. There’s also just enough vanilla and brown sugar sweetness to give this whisky some balance.
- ABV: 53.5%
While I have had the other whiskies in the Jim Beam Small Batch collection on numerous occasions, for whatever reason, I have had limited exposure to the Baker’s Bourbon. Thanks to this sampler pack (did I mention that it was only $18?), I was finally able to spend some time exploring this whisky. I truly enjoyed the Baker’s Bourbon, and would definitely consider buying a full bottle. Smooth, flavorful, and definitely powerful, the Baker’s is a Bourbon worth owning.
Categories: Baker's, Booze Review
AMKrouse
The Alemonger
G-LO
limpd
The Wookie
The ROK
Sarah -BeautifulTangibleThings
The Astounding Prism
It's just the booze dancing... 
G-LO, your picture is making me dizzy!
Baker’s is really good… I think it’s VERY sweet but in a good way.
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Sorry for the vertigo episode Ryan! I was getting bored with the same old photo style. Gotta keep it fresh.
I really enjoyed the Baker’s. Definitely a step up from the Basil Hayden.
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G-LO,
I love the photo! Way to infuse your post w/even more creativity. From where did you buy the sampler set? What a great way set to have and to give!
Thanks!
-WW
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Glad you liked the photo WW! Just trying to have some fun with the posts. Regarding the sampler set, I picked it up at our friendly neighborhood liquor store. I also saw it for sale in Pennsylvania, so I suspect that it should be easy to find in NYC.
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Thanks! I’ll keep my eyes open for it!
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Or you can simply call in some favors. You got connections!
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haha, I like how you think!
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Reciprocity WW! All about reciprocity. You are an Advocate for the industry as a whole after all.
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Ooh! I’m flattered! Well then, I’m an honored member of the “advocates of the industry” society … as long as the Booze Dancing crew considers themselves to be members as well. 😀
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But of course we are!
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This post reminded me that we really must review a bourbon soon. Any particular recommendations? (Ones that are reasonably easy to find in the UK, ideally!)
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Geez… where do I begin? I just took a look at the Master of Malt site, and they have a very good selection available. Here are some recommendations:
Blanton’s
Eagle Rare 10 and 17
Four Roses Single Barrel
Knob Creek 9
Willett’s Pot Still Single Barrel
William Larue Weller
Woodford Reserve
There are others that I’m sure are also excellent (i.e. Pappy Van Winkle), but these are the ones that I’ve had, and they are all very very good. It looks like several are available as a sample, so that would be a great way to try a few without breaking the bank. Let us know if you make any purchases.
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Great, thanks for the pointers! I’ll keep you in the loop. I’m a big fan of Master of Malt. 🙂
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While I still fear the demon bourbon, this sounds like a great find. I will have to get a bottle for Pappy and test it out on him. Nice photo and review!
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Thanks Limpd! You should head over to our boys up the street to see if they have any samples left. Also, check the PA State Stores. They had quite a few in stock at the 13th Street store a couple weeks ago. Let me know if you’d like me to pick you up a set.
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Baker sounds like it would be right up my alley. I’ll admit to being more than a little curious about this special yeast they claim to use, but I’ll have to settle for tasting it when I can. As it is I have about 10 unreviewed bottles, and can’t seem to stop myself from stopping at the liquor store “just to have a look-see”. I will also admit to being most intrigued by the Baker’s, and have considered it on more than one occasion. Great write-up, and happy drammin’.
Chuck
whiskeyworldtour.wordpress.com
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Yes yes! I suspect that you would definitely enjoy the Baker’s.
I know the feeling as far as review backlogs go. I have 7+ whiskies to write up and quite a few beers too. Oh the trials and tribulations of booze blogging! Heh
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” GOD! So many good whiskeys to drink, where does one find the time?” we are rotten.
Chuck
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More like we’re pickled. Alcohol is a fine preservative afterall.
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LOVE this pic! Nice!
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Thank you!
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Mouth watering review, G-LO. You took me there. Bakers is the only one of the Beam small batches I haven’t owned. Based on yours (and Ryan of Value Whisky’s) excellent reviews I have been looking rather longingly at all those bottles of Bakers I seem to run across all over town.
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Thanks Josh! Glad you enjoyed the review. The Baker’s was quite tasty for sure and well worth trying. Look forward to reading your eventual review.
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I currently have 5 unopened bottles of bourbon awaiting the killing of opened on-deck bottles for their turn on deck: Rock Hill Farms, 4 Roses Single Barrel standard release, Evan Williams Single Barrel 2011, Balcones Brimstone, and Triple Smoke. It’s going to be awhile… Drinking great whiskey is tough work but somebody has got to do it.
Thanks for becoming my fledgeling blog’s first follower! You just totally made my day.
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I too have a bit of a backlog of reviews. Between the Craft Beer in the fridge and the whisky samples and big bottles in the liquor cabinet, I will be busy for the next couple months. This is what they call #FirstWorldProblems on Twitter. Ain’t life grand?
Here are the whiskies in the queue: Booker’s, Compass Box Peat Monster + Spice Tree + Hedonism, Laphroiag 10, Balcones Single Malt + Brimstone + True Blue, and a Bunnahabin 20.
You’re very welcome for the follow! And have no fear… the reader’s will find their way to your blog. Relevant comments on other people’s posts are a surefire way to gain readership. Beer and Whisky peeps love a good conversation.
Cheers!
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That’s a lovely queue. Where in blazes did you find those other Balcones expressions? In NYC only La Du seems to have anything and they only have Brimstone?
Bookers is a monster. Bless Beam for that. I’m repeating Ryan (Value Whisky Reviews) water integration experiment with Bookers and Port Charlotte PC7 starting tomorrow. I love drinking Bookers. I’ll be very curious to see your review.
I was just listing my bourbons awaiting opening. In the Scotch area I’m holding Amrut Fusion, a head to head of Bruichladdich 17 Pedro Ximinez and 17 Fino expressions, and a dozen 3cl samples of weird scotches… First world problems indeed. And I keep hearing about more things I cannot live without. E.g. didja see Pyle’s review of Parker Heritage 2011 (a cask strength 10 year wheated bourbon finished in Cognac cask)… Stuff like that follows me around (in my mind)…
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Thanks! I’ve been on the lookout for sample bottles and have been lucky enough to find a few along the way. While I feel that you sometimes need some time with a whisky before you can fully appreciate it, buying full bottles is (a) expensive and (b) a sure fire way to get a smackdown from Mrs. G-LO. The Balcones acquisition was in the works for a couple months and came directly from the distillery (through a friend). Although I haven’t had the time to really “study” them, I have sampled all three, and I like what I’ve tasted so far. Trying to get the rest of the crew together for a panel tasting. Always good to get second, third and fourth opinions. Should be an interesting experiment since we have slightly different preferences where whiskies are concerned.
I had a bottle of Bookers a couple years ago and absolutely loved it (helped me nurse a lingering cold. didn’t cure it, but definitely eased the annoyance factor). It was my first real Cask Strength whiskey, and as you said, it’s a monster! Since my exposure to ultra high test spirits has escalated over the past couple years, I’m curious to see how I react to it now.
The Amrut Fusion is on my list of whiskies to try. Supposed to be fantastic. I saw it in NYC last weekend, but refrained from buying it. Just read the Parker review. Sounds fantastic. I have the 2010 Parker Wheated Bourbon. Amazingly smooth for a 125 proof bourbon and well worth the $80 that I paid for it at Park Avenue Liquors last March.
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