‘Mighty Fine Job, Son’: Beam’s Latest Booker’s Bourbon is a Liquid Ode to a Tender Moment Before the Death of a Distilling Legend

On Thursday, James B. Beam Co. unveiled the third Booker’s Bourbon release of 2023: the “Mighty Fine Batch.”

Every release within the Booker’s series has a special name that references the history behind the Booker’s brand. This expression alludes to Booker Noe’s favorite phrase which signified something that had earned his approval.

This particular expression captures a touching moment between the father-and-son distilling duo, Booker and Fred Noe, that occurred right before the distilling giant died.

“If you knew Booker, then you knew ‘mighty fine’ was his go-to phrase,” the brand said in a news release. “Right before Booker passed away, [his son and successor] Fred Noe selected barrels for a Booker’s Batch for the very first time. After tasting it, Booker looked at him and said, ‘Mighty fine job, son,’ making it a moment Fred will never forget.”

Bottled at 126.6 proof, this cask-strength expression was aged for seven years, one month and 10 days.

Booker’s Bourbon Mighty Fine Batch was made from different barrels with seven production dates. The barrels were aged in six different warehouses. Here’s how it breaks down:

• 2% from the fifth floor of seven-story warehouse Q
• 3% from the sixth floor of seven-story warehouse Z
• 8% from the fifth floor of nine-story warehouse G
• 10% from the sixth floor of seven-story warehouse I
• 10% from the fifth floor of nine-story warehouse H
• 12% from the fifth floor of nine-story warehouse G
• 55% from the fifth floor of seven-story warehouse 3

The Beam Suntory-owned brand describes the bourbon as hosting aromas of vanilla and sweet brown sugar due to the white oak barrel aging. Fred Noe describes the whiskey as being full-bodied and claims that the bourbon opens nicely with a little bit of water. Booker’s “Mighty Fine Batch” finishes with a warm “Kentucky Hug,” according to the brand.

In June, Booker’s Bourbon debuted the Apprentice Batch. The expression was bottled at 125.5 proof and celebrated the early years of Booker Noe’s career.

Booker Noe learned the distilling trade under his cousin’s leadership: Carl Beam. According to the brand, Carl Beam was a no-nonsense type, who had high standards.

“Carl was in charge and didn’t put up with any foolishness — he always made sure Booker was set straight,” Bookers said in a news release. “But even if Booker did mess around sometimes, he was a fast learner and was ready to be put to work, which quickly got him Carl’s approval.”

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