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Beam Suntory has announced the release of Booker’s Batch 2018-01, also called “Kathleen’s Batch.” This release is named in tribute to Kathleen DiBenedetto who, together with founding distiller Booker Noe, helped launch the landmark Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection in the early 1990s. Back in those days, “premium, small batch bourbon” meant just Maker’s Mark and Elijah Craig 12 Year Old.
This batch was selected by Fred Noe, Beam’s seventh generation master distiller, DiBenedetto and the Booker’s Bourbon Roundtable, an esteemed group of whiskey experts, enthusiasts and writers, during an exclusive live tasting in New York City earlier this year.
“I’m thrilled to honor Kathleen as someone who has poured her heart and soul into our brands for more than 25 years, especially our super-premium bourbons,” said Fred Noe. “She is probably too young to be called a pioneer, but that’s exactly what she was back in the ‘90s. Kathleen is like the daughter Dad never had, and I know he’d be proud to name a batch of his namesake Booker’s Bourbon in her honor.”
Kathleen DiBenedetto started her career with Jim Beam Brands Co. in 1991. Under Booker Noe’s watchful eye, Kathleen embarked on a unique apprenticeship in Clermont, Ky., learning nearly every job at the distillery so she could fully understand the ins and outs of crafting bourbon, the Beam way. Every night, Booker and Kathleen would sit at his kitchen table, where he would quiz her on what she had learned that day so she could speak to what made each bourbon brand so special. She served as brand manager for the Beam Small Batch Collection, which included Booker’s, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden and Baker’s.
“I’m humbled to have a batch of Booker’s named in my honor and to celebrate the many years that Booker and I worked together,” said Kathleen DiBenedetto. “He was my mentor and teacher – a challenging one at that – and over time, he became like family to me. Booker cared so deeply about his namesake brand, and I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to gather with the Booker’s Roundtable to select this special liquid and share a few of my favorite memories with them.”
Booker’s “Kathleen’s Batch” was selected under the guidance of Fred Noe, along with the help of Kathleen DiBenedetto, the Booker’s Bourbon Roundtable members and guest panelists. The group selected Booker’s “Kathleen’s Batch” with the following characteristics:
- Proof: 127.4
- Age: 6 years, 3 months and 14 days
Bottled uncut and unfiltered, “Kathleen’s Batch” is now available nationwide in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $69.99 – $74.99 for a 750 ml bottle.
