Bourbon Battle: Booker’s vs. Baker’s (2012)
Bourbon Battle: Booker’s vs. Baker’s (2012)
Booker’s and Baker’s can often be found side by side on the back bar, and even seasoned Bourbon fans are apt to confuse them. This is understandable. Allow me to explain.
For starters, there’s the name thing. Baker’s. Booker’s. You might think one was attempting to mislead drinkers by tricking them with a sound-alike, but these are actually both products of the same company: Jim Beam.
Baker’s and Booker’s are two of the four Bourbons in Beam’s “Small Batch” series. The other two are Knob Creek and, continuing the confusing panoply of B’s, Basil Hayden’s. But at least Knob and Basil look immediately different on the shelf. Baker’s and Booker’s are both even bottled in Burgundy-style wine bottles and sealed with black wax. The only easy distinguishing factor is the label: Baker’s has a giant B, Booker’s has a handwritten-esque script on the label. Helpful if you’re looking at the bar. Not so much if you’re reading a menu.
Beam was kind enough to send both whiskeys for our evaluation and comparison. Here’s how these two are both alike and different.
Booker’s Bourbon is touted as “the highest grade bourbon made by” master distiller Booker Noe at Jim Beam — hence the name “Booker’s.” Noe died in 2004, but his spirit clearly lives on. There’s also a monster statue of him on the Jim Beam grounds that you can check out if you go to visit. Batch age and proof of this uncut, barrel-strength whiskey will vary, but mine (C05-A-12), at 7 years, 5 months old and 128.5 proof, is typical of the brand.
The Bourbon is hot. Though the bottle tag suggests drinking it neat and uncut, this is folly. A healthy splash of water helps Booker’s show beyond the burn. Wood is the primary character here, hefty, chunky, and powerful like a lumberyard. It’s big on the nose and the body, and it takes a good amount of time sipping and savoring for this to fade. Eventually you dig out Booker’s finer nuances. Vanilla and dark chocolate — almost a Mexican chocolate with touches of cinnamon — which rise up on the finish as you finish your first glass. Some fruitiness here — plums, raisins — is in the mix as well. All in all a solid Bourbon, though a bit burly I think for my tastes. B+ / $57 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Baker’s Bourbon (2012) is stated at 7 years old and a considerably mellower 107 proof. The Baker in question is Baker Beam, a grandnephew of Jim Beam himself. The twist here involves a special yeast used in the fermentation process, proprietary to Baker’s.
Results: A considerably more mellow whiskey than Booker’s. Beam suggests Baker’s is a Bourbon for Cognac enthusiasts, and I think the distillery is onto something with that. There is lovely sweetness here, plenty of vanilla but also rich cherry, chocolate pudding, nutmeg, and fruitcake character. Really a gorgeous Bourbon and my hands-down favorite of the duo. A / $47 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Baker's Bourbon (2012)
$47
Baker’s is better !!!
I definitely prefer Booker’s, but I love big, strong bourbons like George T. Stagg. Both are better than a lot of bourbon lovers give them credit for, though!
I’ve been proselytizing the glory of Bakers for several years now. One of my favorite bourbons ever and I can find it for around $40 on sale. One great thing about this bourbon is the texture. It has this really pleasant oily texture that coats your mouth and let’s you really soak it in. Agree on the lovely sweetness, I get some burnt sugar and banana at the end of a nice gulp.
Booker’s is the poor man’s George T Stagg……I mean, Booker’s is actually obtainable at any liquor store, it’s a badass uncut/unfiltered monster with tons of flavors………and if it’s too hot, just water it down
I haven’t tried Bakers (and having tried Booker’s, I’ll pass.) Booker’s is like swallowing oak splinters! It is flavorful, but I can’t get past the overwhelming, harsh, bitter burning sensation, all the way down. Yes, I watered it to my preferred proof, and even further. And you know what I get? A watery burn instead of a rich and flavorful burn. I even tried it with ice–which I rarely do–but it still burns. I gave it several tries. I let it sit for quite a while between tries to oxidize. I even aerated it. It’s still harsh, bitter and painful to swallow. There are so many great bourbons out there, like Four Roses Single Barrel, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, Angel’s Envy, Stagg Jr, E.H. Taylor, Rock Hill Farms, Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Each and every one of those blows Booker’s right out of the water! Don’t waste your time or money with this. The Beam distillers obviously do not know how (or are unwilling to) to cut out the nasty heads and tails from the distillation run. Same with Heaven Hill distillates. I’ve tried many, many bourbons; but if you don’t believe me, taste Bookers side-by-side with anything from Four Roses, Wild Turkey or Buffalo Trace. Life’s too short to choke down nasty bourbon like this.
@ALAN
Try adding a bit of sugar instead of water. Water can, sometimes, make it appear even “hotter” to my palate.
Alan is out to lunch. Laughable actually. I’ve been a dedicated bourbon drinker for 25 years and while I love the classic favourites, Pappy’s 20, 15 , 12, etc, whatever, and can afford any spirit I like, Baker’s stands out as an exceptional and affordable product. It’s a bourbon drinkers bourbon and is my favourite daily drink, all things considered. Stagg Jr? Please. Alan hasn’t even tried Baker’s and can’t appreciate or handle Booker’s. Comparing either to Four Roses single is comparing apples to…..Baker’s, and Booker’s for that matter are very good!
I agree with Gman. Booker’s is bottled amazing-ness. I love big strong bourbons and side by side with WT Rare Breed and Makers Cask (as I did last night) Bookers blew those out of the water. Alan’s preferences are decidedly opposite of my own. Sounds like I need to try Baker’s next…
Both are like crackerjack peanuts and caramel. Baker’s is mellow. If you try it first and get used to it, Bookers will burn your throat and make your eyes water -heh! Just hold it in your mouth longer, give it some air and mix with your saliva. Then you will see it shine (don’t just swallow right away or you will regret it). LOVE both.
I’m in complete agreement with GMAN. IMO… Bookers is the complete package…. big, bold, and beautiful. Bakers is also wonderful…kind of like Bookers as a slightly more mild daily drinker. Having tried literally 100+ whiskeys over 20 years.. Bookers/Bakers are stand out products. If you actually know and like whiskey ..it would seem unthinkable to speak negatively of either.