Booker's by the Pond: A Bourbon Dream Come True

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A backyard pond, fresh catfish, and bourbon that tastes like
pomegranate? The latest Booker's release "By the Pond Batch"
delivers an unexpected twist in the iconic barrel-strength
bourbon lineup.

Picking up this treasure at the Jim Beam distillery during a
bourbon-packed Kentucky weekend, I couldn't wait to crack open
batch 2025-02 and share my thoughts. Coming in at a robust 126.5
proof and aged 7 years, 1 month, and 20 days, this release honors
the special place where Fred Noe's father would spend peaceful
Kentucky afternoons - his beloved backyard pond where he raised
catfish and bluegills for family suppers.

What makes this batch truly remarkable is its deceptive
simplicity. The nose offers familiar vanilla, oak, and classic
Beam peanut notes, but doesn't hint at the flavor explosion
waiting on your palate. The first sip delivers an immediate
butterscotch sweetness that transforms into leather before
finishing with what can only be described as pomegranate - a
tasting note I've never encountered in bourbon before. Complex,
surprising, and utterly delicious, this isn't your average
Booker's release.

The bottle earns a solid 15/18 on our Old Louisville Barrel
Bottle Breakdown scale, with perfect scores for body and finish.
While the retail price remains around $99, the experience is
priceless for true bourbon enthusiasts. If you're lucky enough to
find a bottle, grab it immediately - this special batch won't sit
on shelves long.

Whether you're a longtime Booker's collector or new to
barrel-strength bourbon, "By the Pond Batch" demonstrates why
this expression remains the gold standard for uncut, unfiltered
whiskey. Have you tried it yet? Let us know what unexpected
flavors you discovered in your glass!


Fred Noe's second Booker's release of 2025, "By the Pond Batch,"
pays tribute to his father's beloved backyard pond where Booker
found peace while raising catfish and bluegills for family
suppers.

• Booker's 2025-02 "By the Pond Batch" comes in at 126.5 proof,
aged 7 years, 1 month, 20 days
• Jim Beam's traditional mash bill of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10%
malted barley
• Barrels selected from 8 different warehouses to create a
complex flavor profile
• Master Distiller Fred Noe was inspired by his father's pond,
which evolved from a fishing spot to a place of reflection
• Tasting notes include butterscotch sweetness, leather middle,
and a unique pomegranate finish
• Barrels were selected during an unusually wet spring in
Kentucky with record rainfall
• The bottle received a 15/18 on the Old Louisville Barrel Bottle
Breakdown scale

Live your life uncut and unfiltered, remember to drink
responsibly, and never drink and drive.




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