James B. Beam Distilling announced the second release this year of Booker’s Bourbon – “Apprentice Batch 23-02,” which Master Distiller Booker Noe celebrates his early distilling career.

 Noe began studying the art of making bourbon under the guidance of his cousin, Carl Beam. Shortly after Booker started working at the Beam distillery, Carl became Noe’s his mentor. They worked closely together on bourbon distilling traditions, even while Noe, according to a news release, was inclined to “mess around” at times.

Beam set out to make sure Noe was set straight, as Noe was a fast learner. But Carl also encouraged Noe to experiment. Booker’s apprenticeship under Carl ultimately proved fruitful.

Two years after Booker started, Jim Beam purchased a distillery in Boston, Ky., to increase production capabilities. Carl and Noe worked closely together to get it up and running, and eventually, Carl handed the reins over to Noe. This is where he was able to further expand his experiments and master the bourbon-making process; later on, the location was renamed the Booker Noe Distillery. 

Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s “Apprentice Batch” was selected by Seventh Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe to ensure it upholds the qualities and standards that his dad set for Booker’s Bourbon more than 30 years ago.  The new release was aged for 7 years, 1 month and 2 days and was bottled at 125.5 proof.

The inspiration behind Booker’s Bourbon is a 200-year-old family tradition – 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 “Apprentice Batch” is now available nationwide in limited quantities with a Suggested Retail Price of $89.99 for a 750 mL bottle. 

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