Whisky: Baker’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Producer: Beam-Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam
Region: Kentucky, USA
Whisky Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Age: 7 years
ABV: 53.5%
Aged in Cask: New charred American oak
Price Range: $$

Baker’s Bourbon is a brand from Beam-Suntory made at Jim Beam’s distillery. The bourbon is named after Baker Beam, the grand-nephew of Jim Beam. Baker’s was originally released as one of four bourbons in the Small Batch Bourbon Collection with brands like Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, and Booker’s Bourbon.

In 2019 Beam released Baker’s Bourbon for the first time as a Single Barrel, as opposed to a batch version to make it stand out more on the shelves against other non-age statement bourbons in the market.

Based on the mash bill of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley, I expect Baker’s 7 Year Old Single Barrel to deliver a fruit-forward flavor profile at 53.5% ABV. This expression was barreled in February of 2014 and is 8 years old and four months old.

Tasting Notes for Baker’s 7 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon

The bourbon made the Top 20 Whiskies of the Year of The Whisky Advocate Magazine in 2020, ranking in the 16th spot. Here are the tasting notes.

Nose: A very prominent bourbon nose with a strong vanilla influence. Oak and rye spices are also noticeable, but the corn clearly dominates the aromas by driving the fruit flavors.

Palate: Creamy and syrupy arrival of fruits and vanilla. As I expected, the corn is doing its magic in the early stage. However, as the experience transitions from the arrival stage to the mid-palate, the spices develop in the form of cinnamon and pepper. This transition is nice and clean because the nose prepares you for what is coming, a rich, sweet, and spicy profile.

Finish: A rich and creamy finish where the spices that started to develop in the mid-palate fully take over here.

Conclusion: Baker’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a rich and tasty everyday bourbon with vanilla and spicy notes of rye and oak driving the experience. Adding water might take away some of its superpowers.

I have tried some bourbons that promise you blue skies with their aromas, only to disappoint you in the mid-palate with a weak version of their true potential. Fortunately, it is not the case with this expression. It delivers a bold and rich experience of my favorite bourbon flavors. I also believe this bourbon will be a great option as a base whiskey in an old-fashioned cocktail because it provides enough power and personality.

Score: 3.5/5 ⭐

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