Booker's Bourbon Batch 2026-02 "Milkshake Batch" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml

Every Booker's release carries a genuine name and story behind it, and "Milkshake Batch" might be one of the most charming in the line's 35-year history. The legend is real: Booker Noe, the late sixth-generation Master Distiller of Jim Beam and the man widely credited with inventing the small-batch bourbon category itself, had a genuine habit of mixing bourbon into homemade chocolate malted milkshakes. It started as a father-son tradition — Fred Noe remembers fishing trips with his dad that always ended with a chocolate malted milkshake, until Booker began spiking his own with bourbon, then started making the bourbon-and-milkshake combination from scratch entirely. That same ritual continues today between Fred and his son Freddie, and Batch 2026-02 is named directly in that spirit.

The bourbon itself is a blend of barrels from four separate production dates, aged across four different seven-story rickhouses: 32% from the fifth floor of Warehouse G at Waterfall, 26% from the fifth floor of Warehouse 3, 23% from the third floor of Warehouse L, and 19% from the third floor of Warehouse M. The final blend aged 7 years, 6 months, and 12 days, bottled entirely uncut and unfiltered at full barrel strength — 124.4 proof — following the same signature Jim Beam mash bill of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley used across the entire Booker's line.

Reception has been genuinely solid, if measured. Bourbon & Smoke Reviews' tasting found "creamy vanilla and caramel corn up front, then cocoa powder and a distinct peanut butter richness," with "warm banana bread" emerging after a couple minutes, noting that "with a few drops of water, the whole thing opens up into something close to a chocolate malt — which, given the name, feels intentional." Breaking Bourbon's review called it "another great high proof bourbon" that "doesn't stand out from recent Booker's releases," finding the palate carrying "classic bourbon flavors" that "peak" with "sweeter flavors, including cinnamon apple, before riding out on a more traditional conclusion." Charles Steele's review for The Whiskey Wash found it "sweet to start before adding a good bite across the tongue," with "charcoal with oak, clove, small pops of pepper, and dark cigar wrapper," a "current of chewy toffee" poking "through periodically," calling it "another classic Booker's bourbon" that's "dark and almost broody," though acknowledging the "higher alcohol content could be a bit confrontational for many drinkers." Master Distiller Fred Noe himself described it directly: "the aroma is rich and thick with vanilla and oak that is inviting you to take a taste. I enjoyed the full, flavorful finish that lingers and makes you want another sip." This is genuinely bold, uncut bourbon with a real family story — a solid, if not showstopping, entry in one of bourbon's most storied ongoing series.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Booker's Bourbon Batch 2026-02 "Milkshake Batch" is produced by James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, the second release in the brand's 2026 collection. The bourbon is a blend of barrels from four separate production dates, matured in charred new American oak across four seven-story rickhouses: Warehouse G at Waterfall (32%, fifth floor), Warehouse 3 (26%, fifth floor), Warehouse L (23%, third floor), and Warehouse M (19%, third floor). The mash bill is the signature Jim Beam recipe: 77% corn, 13% rye, 10% malted barley.

The name honors a real Noe family tradition started by Master Distiller Booker Noe, who mixed bourbon into homemade chocolate malted milkshakes, a ritual his son Fred and grandson Freddie continue today. The bourbon aged 7 years, 6 months, and 12 days, bottled entirely uncut and unfiltered at barrel proof — 62.2% ABV / 124.4 proof, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

Bourbon & Smoke Reviews (extended independent review):
"Creamy vanilla and caramel corn up front, then cocoa powder and a distinct peanut butter richness. Give it two minutes and warm banana bread comes through. With a few drops of water, the whole thing opens up into something close to a chocolate malt — which, given the name, feels intentional. Thick and chewy at barrel proof."

Breaking Bourbon (extended independent review):
"Its aroma is pleasing but straightforward for what it is. The sip contains classic bourbon flavors that peak in the palate thanks to a combination of sweeter flavors, including cinnamon apple, before riding out on a more traditional conclusion. 'Milkshake Batch' continues the tradition of offering consumers a consistently great high proof bourbon for the price."

Charles Steele, The Whiskey Wash (extended independent review):
"Sweet to start before adding a good bite across the tongue. Charcoal with oak, clove, small pops of pepper, and dark cigar wrapper. A current of chewy toffee pokes through periodically softening the earthier profile. The finish relents some of the strong earth notes to vanillas and sweet sugars before dropping back into the earth tones of bitter chocolate and cigar smoke. This is another classic Booker's bourbon. Dark and almost broody with the earth and oak notes throughout."

Artfully Bourbon (extended independent review):
"Vanilla, caramel, baking spice, and fresh oak lead the nose, with a slightly grassy note underneath."

Fred Noe, Master Distiller, Booker's Bourbon:
"The aroma is rich and thick with vanilla and oak that is inviting you to take a taste. I enjoyed the full, flavorful finish that lingers and makes you want another sip."

Beam Distilling (official tasting notes):
"Color: Deep amber. Taste: Big and bold, and unmistakably Booker's Bourbon. Aroma: Rich and thick with vanilla and oak."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Creamy vanilla and caramel corn lead, joined by cocoa powder and peanut butter richness, developing warm banana bread, baking spice, and fresh oak.

Palate
Thick and chewy at barrel proof, sweet to start with a good bite, delivering charcoal, oak, clove, and dark cigar wrapper, alongside chewy toffee and cinnamon apple.

Finish
Long and full-flavored, closing with vanilla, sweet sugar, bitter chocolate, and cigar smoke — genuinely bold and broody.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Chocolate malted milkshake, naturally
• Peanut-based desserts
• Grilled or smoked meats
• Dark chocolate

Serving Note

Enjoy neat, or with a few drops of water to open genuine chocolate-malt character.