Booker's Bourbon has always been one of those bottles that commands respect the moment you crack the seal. The 2024 Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon carries on that tradition — this is uncut, unfiltered bourbon at a hefty 62.2% ABV, and it doesn't apologise for it. For anyone unfamiliar, Booker's is a small-batch release that lands at barrel strength, meaning what you're pouring is essentially what came straight out of the barrel with minimal interference. That philosophy alone sets it apart from the majority of bourbons sitting on shop shelves.
What I find genuinely appealing about the Booker's programme is the commitment to letting the whiskey speak for itself. No chill filtration, no water added to bring it down to a standard proof point. At 62.2%, this is big bourbon — the kind that fills a room when you pour it. And that barrel entry proof matters here. American whiskey law caps barrel entry at 125 proof (62.5% ABV), and Booker's consistently lands right in that neighbourhood, which tells you the distillate has spent its entire maturation at serious concentration. That means more interaction between spirit and wood, more extraction of those deep caramel and vanilla compounds that bourbon drinkers chase.
Tasting Notes
I won't pretend to give you a detailed flavour breakdown I can't back up with data — tasting is personal and I'd rather you discover the specifics yourself. What I will say is that a barrel-strength bourbon at this proof level is going to deliver intensity. Expect richness, expect weight on the palate, and expect warmth. A few drops of water will open this up considerably, and I'd actually encourage you to experiment — try it neat first, then add water gradually. The transformation at different dilution points is half the fun with cask-strength releases.
The Verdict
At £69.95, Booker's 2024 Edition sits in a competitive space, but I think it earns its price. You're getting barrel-strength bourbon without the markup that some craft distilleries attach to similar products, and the consistency of the Booker's range gives you confidence that you're not gambling on an unknown quantity. This isn't a bottle for someone just getting into bourbon — the proof alone will see to that — but for anyone who appreciates whiskey with real backbone and zero compromise, it's a genuinely satisfying pour.
I'd score this a 7.8 out of 10. It's a strong, well-made bourbon that delivers exactly what it promises. It doesn't try to be subtle or complex in ways it isn't — it's bold, it's honest, and it rewards you for paying attention. The NAS designation means we don't know the exact age, which always costs a point or two in my book simply because transparency matters, but the liquid quality speaks clearly enough on its own.
Best Served
Pour it neat in a Glencairn or a rocks glass with a single large ice cube and let it sit for a couple of minutes. But honestly, Booker's is exceptional in an Old Fashioned. The high proof means it stands up to dilution from ice and the sweetness of the sugar, and you end up with a cocktail that actually tastes like bourbon rather than a vaguely whiskey-flavoured sweet drink. Use a good demerara syrup, two dashes of Angostura, and an orange peel — express the oils over the top and drop it in. At this strength, you're getting a proper Old Fashioned that holds its character from first sip to last.
