{"product_id":"bookers-bourbon-the-reserves-batch-2026-rye-whiskey","title":"Booker's The Reserves 2026 Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Casks 750ml","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"small-12 medium-8 large-6 small-centered large-uncentered columns\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"small-12 medium-8 large-6 small-centered large-uncentered columns\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBooker’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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe 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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBooker’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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNo independent critic reviews are published yet for this new release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFreddie Noe, Master Distiller, Booker’s:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooker’s (official tasting notes):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooker’s (additional tasting notes):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Nose: Bright apple, caramel, seasoned oak, barrel char, and warm spice.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDeep amber. Bright apple and seasoned oak lead, with caramel, barrel char, and warm spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRich and full, with barrel char, vanilla, and caramel carrying the entry, with cinnamon and rye spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong and warm, with baked apple pie and lingering baking spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKentucky Straight Rye Whiskey — Barrel Strength, Apple Brandy Cask Finished\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV \/ Proof\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e62.55% ABV \/ 125.1 Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 years, 2 months, 23 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrench apple brandy casks, infused with real cinnamon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistillery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJames B. Beam Distilling Co. — Clermont, Kentucky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaster Distiller\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreddie Noe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBooker’s The Reserves — 3rd release (after 2024 blend and 2025 tequila-barrel finish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignificance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOnly the 2nd rye in Booker’s history (after 2016’s Big Time Batch)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUncut and unfiltered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA bold, apple-and-cinnamon-finished barrel-strength rye, inspired by Booker Noe’s apple wine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBaked apple, caramel, seasoned oak, cinnamon, vanilla, warm baking spice\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApple pie, apple crisp, or apple fritters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCinnamon or caramel desserts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAged cheddar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmoked and glazed meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEnjoy 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"small-12 medium-8 large-6 small-centered large-uncentered columns\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"small-12 medium-8 large-6 small-centered large-uncentered columns\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"small-12 medium-8 large-6 small-centered large-uncentered columns\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"small-12 medium-8 large-6 small-centered large-uncentered columns\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Southern","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45540664213570,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/97BA62D5-EF63-4C49-BAFF-5345AFE41D4E_1_201_a.jpg?v=1791988585","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/bookers-bourbon-the-reserves-batch-2026-rye-whiskey","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}