Send us a text

A backyard pond, fresh catfish, and bourbon that tastes like pomegranate? The latest Booker's release "By the Pond Batch" delivers an unexpected twist in the iconic barrel-strength bourbon lineup.

Picking up this treasure at the Jim Beam distillery during a bourbon-packed Kentucky weekend, I couldn't wait to crack open batch 2025-02 and share my thoughts. Coming in at a robust 126.5 proof and aged 7 years, 1 month, and 20 days, this release honors the special place where Fred Noe's father would spend peaceful Kentucky afternoons - his beloved backyard pond where he raised catfish and bluegills for family suppers.

What makes this batch truly remarkable is its deceptive simplicity. The nose offers familiar vanilla, oak, and classic Beam peanut notes, but doesn't hint at the flavor explosion waiting on your palate. The first sip delivers an immediate butterscotch sweetness that transforms into leather before finishing with what can only be described as pomegranate - a tasting note I've never encountered in bourbon before. Complex, surprising, and utterly delicious, this isn't your average Booker's release.

The bottle earns a solid 15/18 on our Old Louisville Barrel Bottle Breakdown scale, with perfect scores for body and finish. While the retail price remains around $99, the experience is priceless for true bourbon enthusiasts. If you're lucky enough to find a bottle, grab it immediately - this special batch won't sit on shelves long.

Whether you're a longtime Booker's collector or new to barrel-strength bourbon, "By the Pond Batch" demonstrates why this expression remains the gold standard for uncut, unfiltered whiskey. Have you tried it yet? Let us know what unexpected flavors you discovered in your glass!

Fred Noe's second Booker's release of 2025, "By the Pond Batch," pays tribute to his father's beloved backyard pond where Booker found peace while raising catfish and bluegills for family suppers.

• Booker's 2025-02 "By the Pond Batch" comes in at 126.5 proof, aged 7 years, 1 month, 20 days
• Jim Beam's traditional mash bill of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley
• Barrels selected from 8 different warehouses to create a complex flavor profile
• Master Distiller Fred Noe was inspired by his father's pond, which evolved from a fishing spot to a place of reflection
• Tasting notes include butterscotch sweetness, leather middle, and a unique pomegranate finish
• Barrels were selected during an unusually wet spring in Kentucky with record rainfall
• The bottle received a 15/18 on the Old Louisville Barrel Bottle Breakdown scale

Live your life uncut and unfiltered, remember to drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Add for SOFL

If You Have Gohsts

Support the show

https://www.scotchybourbonboys.com

The Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/