James B. Beam Distilling Co. announced the release of the second Booker’s Bourbon batch of 2022, Booker’s Bourbon 2022-02 The Lumberyard Batch.

This batch is named in honor of the lumberyard that Booker Noe worked at during his pre-distillery years, according to a press release. While his journey to becoming a distiller wasn’t a straight path – from his hopes of joining the Air Force to his long days at the local lumberyard – it led him to his true passion. His time at the lumberyard shaped the solid work ethic and curiosity he is known for, and this ultimately helped him land his first role at the distillery, and eventually, his way up to Master Distiller.

After a short stint at the University of Kentucky, Booker hitch-hiked across America in hopes of joining the Air Force. After being accepted, the local police called his mom to verify his information. When Booker’s mom found out where he was, she convinced him to come home and work at the local lumberyard with Jeremiah Beam, also known as Uncle Jere.

Booker was strong, over 6 feet tall and never backed away from physical labor of any kind, so he was a natural for the job. Booker gave 110 percent during his time at the lumberyard, which eventually landed him his first role working at the distillery. From then on, the rest was history.

Since that first day, Booker held just about every job at the distillery and worked his way up to Master Distiller. Booker’s esteemed distilling career wasn’t given to him, he earned it. His experience at the lumberyard shaped the solid work ethic and curiosity he is known for. 

Booker’s Bourbon is bottled uncut at its natural proof. Inspired by a 200-year-old family tradition, Booker Noe, Jim Beam’s grandson and 6th Generation Master Distiller, first created Booker’s Bourbon as a Christmas gift for close friends and family. Booker took barrels found in the center-cut of the rack house, and bottled the bourbon straight-from-the-barrel. Each batch of the 2022 collection will be released in limited quantities featuring a unique label and batch name honoring Booker Noe. 

Booker’s “The Lumberyard Batch” is available nationwide beginning in July in limited quantities with a Suggested Retail Price of $89.99 for a 750 mL bottle. 

For more information, visit https://www.bookersbourbon.com/.