James B. Beam Distillery announced the release of the first Booker’s Bourbon of the year, dubbed Charlie’s Batch.

Bottled at 126.6 (cask strength), Charlie’s Batch is named in honor of Charlie Hutchens, the craftsman behind the signature wooden boxes that each bottle of Booker’s Bourbon comes in. Hutchens also is a longtime family friend and former employee of Booker Noe. The bourbon was aged 7 years, 1 month and 8 days.

Hutchens started his career working at the Booker Noe Distillery. During his time there, he had a reputation as being quite the storyteller and would entertain others throughout the workday. He would also pay close attention to the details and would do something over and over again until it was perfect.

After several years, Hutchen’s left the business to open his own cabinet shop with his brother. Charlie handcrafted the very first Booker’s Bourbon wooden boxes in his garage and has created the boxes for the brand since. He and his brother have expanded their business to create other wood products for different brands and projects in the Beam family, such as supplying custom furniture to the new Fred B. Noe Distillery – where Booker’s Bourbon is now distilled.

Hutchens still lives near the Booker Noe Distillery and spends his free time fishing and vacationing with his family in South Carolina. Charlie was one of the first people to help make Booker’s Bourbon a recognizable brand.

Booker’s Bourbon is bottled uncut and unfiltered. Inspired by a 200-year-old family tradition, Sixth Generation Beam Master Distiller Booker Noe 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 is released in limited quantities and features a unique label and batch name that honors Booker Noe, his love of family and his spirit of experimentation.

Booker’s 2023-01 Charlie’s Batch is now available nationwide in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $89.99.

For more information on Booker’s Bourbon, visit https://www.bookersbourbon.com/.