First Booker’s Batch Of 2017 Coming Soon

The 2017 plans for Booker’s, the popular and venerable Jim Beam brand of cask strength Bourbon, raised hackles in enthusiast circles last year when a price hike from $60 to $100 was announced late last year. In the face of mass outrage among those enthusiasts, Beam ultimately made a partial retreat on the point just after New Year’s, raising the price only to $75.

Now the first batch, named “Tommy’s Batch,” at this new price has been released. This time around it’s named in honor of Tommy Crume, who started his career at the Jim Beam Distillery and worked alongside founding distiller Booker Noe for many years. After 30 years with the distillery, Tommy retired as Distillery Manager of the Clermont plant at the end of last year.

“Tommy’s Batch” was selected by Fred Noe, along with the help of the Booker’s Bourbon Roundtable and Tommy himself. This particular Booker’s was aged for 6 years, 4 months and 6 days and, as usual, bottled uncut at its natural proof at 128.5.