Booker's The Reserves 2026 Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Casks 750ml

Booker’s is best known for uncut, unfiltered bourbon, so a rye is a rare sight. The Reserves 2026 is only the second rye whiskey in the brand’s history, after the 2016 Big Time Batch, and the third release in The Reserves collection, which launched in 2024 as an annual, highly limited series honoring former master distiller Booker Noe’s legacy. The 2024 edition was a blend of eight bourbons, and the 2025 edition was the first Beam whiskey ever finished in tequila barrels. The 2026 edition turns to apple.

The rye is made from the original Booker’s rye mash bill at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, and aged 6 years, 2 months, and 23 days, as printed on the neck tag. It is then finished in French apple brandy casks and infused with real cinnamon sticks, before being bottled uncut and unfiltered at 125.1 proof (62.55% ABV). Master distiller Freddie Noe, Booker’s grandson, says the inspiration came from his grandfather’s annual batch of apple wine: “This release is a very Reserves take on his recipe. A robust rye whiskey — the elusive Booker’s rye you all love so much — aged in apple brandy casks with some cinnamon sticks for added character.”

The brand’s tasting notes describe a nose of “apple and seasoned oak,” a “rich palate” that “opens with barrel char, vanilla, and caramel,” and a finish of “warm apple pie.” Another set of notes adds “bright apple, caramel, seasoned oak, barrel char, and warm spice” on the nose. The finish with apple brandy casks drew some pushback when it leaked earlier this year, with some Booker’s fans calling it gimmicky, but others welcomed a rye release, and the pairing of apple, cinnamon, and rye spice is a natural one. At 125.1 proof, it is big, so it benefits from a few drops of water and a few minutes of rest in the glass. It’s a seasonal, dessert-leaning rye that suits fall and winter.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Booker’s The Reserves 2026 Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is produced by the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, under master distiller Freddie Noe. It is made from the original Booker’s rye mash bill and aged 6 years, 2 months, and 23 days, then finished in French apple brandy casks and infused with real cinnamon. Bottled uncut and unfiltered at 62.55% ABV / 125.1 proof, 750ml. This is a limited, annual release in The Reserves collection.

Critics Reviews

No independent critic reviews are published yet for this new release.

Freddie Noe, Master Distiller, Booker’s:
“This release is a very Reserves take on his recipe. A robust rye whiskey — the elusive Booker’s rye you all love so much — aged in apple brandy casks with some cinnamon sticks for added character.”

Booker’s (official tasting notes):
“The nose opens with bright apple and seasoned oak. The rich palate opens with barrel char, vanilla, and caramel, leading to a finish of warm apple pie.”

Booker’s (additional tasting notes):
“Nose: Bright apple, caramel, seasoned oak, barrel char, and warm spice.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Deep amber. Bright apple and seasoned oak lead, with caramel, barrel char, and warm spice.

Palate
Rich and full, with barrel char, vanilla, and caramel carrying the entry, with cinnamon and rye spice.

Finish
Long and warm, with baked apple pie and lingering baking spice.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Apple pie, apple crisp, or apple fritters
• Cinnamon or caramel desserts
• Aged cheddar
• Smoked and glazed meats

Serving Note

Enjoy neat after letting it rest for a few minutes, with a few drops of water to open the apple and spice. It also stands up in a stirred cocktail like a spiced Old Fashioned, or a warm autumn drink.