Booker's The Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Limited Edition 2025

Booker's The Reserves Kentucky Straight Bourbon Limited Edition 2025 is a revolutionary collaboration of Kentucky's finest bourbon heritage and Jalisco's tequila expertise. Crafted by Freddie Noe, this 8 years, 10 months, and 11 days aged bourbon is finished in 85th Anniversary El Tesoro Tequila Barrels, infusing subtle agave and citrus notes into its robust profile. Bottled uncut and unfiltered at 123.3 proof, this limited-edition release offers a full-bodied experience with aromas of brown sugar, peanut brittle, and fresh agave, complemented by a rich palate of oak, toffee, and sweet agave syrup. As a pioneering blend of traditional bourbon complexity and tequila nuance, Booker's The Reserves 2025 stands out as a collector's item for both bourbon and tequila enthusiasts alike.

Booker’s The Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Limited Edition 2025

Process & Profile

Booker's The Reserve 2025 is an innovative, limited edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in tequila barrels, a first for the Booker’s brand. Distilled by Jim Beam in Clermont, Kentucky, it is bottled at a robust 123.3 proof (61.65% ABV) and aged 8 years, 10 months, and 11 days. This batch uses a classic Booker’s mashbill: 77% corn, 13% rye, 10% malted barley. The barrels used for finishing have a storied journey: after housing Booker’s 30th Anniversary Bourbon, they traveled to Jalisco, Mexico to age El Tesoro Tequila’s 85th Anniversary release before returning to Kentucky for an 11-week final bourbon finishing. The resulting whiskey marries Jim Beam’s bold bourbon profile with subtle influences from agave and citrus, thanks to the unique tequila cask finish.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep golden honey to mahogany hue, reflecting its maturity.

• Nose: Expect aromas of caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and charred oak, with emerging notes of agave, citrus, fresh mint, floral hints, peanut, leather, and earthy vegetal tones.

• Palate: Richly layered with caramel, vanilla, charred oak, spicy rye, leather, tobacco, nutmeg, and peanut, seamlessly balanced by agave brightness, light citrus, grapefruit, thyme, and subtle earthiness.

• Finish: Long and warming with flavors of dry seasoned oak, spicy cinnamon, clove, rye spice, black pepper, and dark fruits; lingering herbal and sweet agave notes round out the experience.

What Makes It Special

• First Ever Tequila Barrel Finish: This marks Booker’s first foray into cask finishing, setting a new precedent for the label.

• Barrel Provenance: The finishing barrels have aged both celebrated bourbon and tequila, imparting rare complexity.

• Uncut, Unfiltered: Like all Booker's, it’s bottled at full proof and non-chill filtered, preserving the whiskey's robust texture and character.

• Unique Profile: The integration of agave, vegetal, and citrus notes with traditional bourbon depth offers a profile unlike any previous release. The tequila finish provides an added smoothness, complexity, and balance.

How to Enjoy

• Neat or With a Splash: For full appreciation of its 123.3 proof complexity, enjoy neat or with a few drops of water to open the aromatics and nuanced flavors.

• Slow Sipping: Given the high ABV and robust profile, savor slowly to experience the evolution of flavors from spicy sweet to herbal and oaky.

• Tasting Session: Compare with traditional Booker's or other finished bourbons to highlight the influence of the tequila cask.

• Collectors & Enthusiasts: This limited edition is ideal for those seeking an innovative, collectible release—one that pushes the boundaries of classic bourbon craftsmanship while maintaining the core Booker’s ethos.

Booker’s The Reserve 2025 is a bold, complex, and collectible bourbon that marries tradition with innovation, making it a must-try for American whiskey adventurers and connoisseurs alike.

Frequently Asked Questions