Booker's “Barry's Batch” 7 year old (Batch 2025-01), 62.85%

This batch, named for Barry Berish, former chairman and CEO of Beam, comes out swinging and doesn’t miss. The nose is rich with butterscotch, vanilla, orange, and Creamsicle, with a dusty, earthy backbone adding depth. The palate starts similarly sweet, with frosting, maple syrup, and dark chocolate. Rounding out the sip are walnuts, caramel candies, and a touch of overripe bananas. This has real depth and, despite the proof, ample finesse.