It’s Booker’s Rye Tuesday with a very special twist! In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca uncork and review the brand-new Booker’s The Reserves 2026 Batch from James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Released in September 2026 at an uncut, unfiltered 125.1 proof (62.55% ABV), this limited release brings back the legendary Booker’s Rye mash bill with an unexpected creative spin. Master Distiller Freddie Noe drew inspiration from his grandfather Booker Noe’s holiday “A.B.C. Wassail” (Apples, Bourbon, Cinnamon) and transformed it into “A.R.C.” (Apples, Rye, Cinnamon). Aged for 6 years, 2 months, and 23 days, this Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey underwent secondary aging in French apple brandy casks and was steeped with real cinnamon sticks using a 24-hour large tea-bag infusion method.
We drove down to the Jim Beam Outpost in Clermont, Kentucky, to attend an exclusive blending innovation tasting with the James B. Beam team and snagged our bottles early—complete with Freddie Noe’s signature! Watch along as we break down the historic mash bill, discuss how the apple brandy cask finish and steeped cinnamon balance out the rye spice, and share our full nosing, palate, and finish impressions.
Will traditional rye whiskey purists appreciate this finished profile? How does it stack up against past editions of The Reserves? Grab a pour and join us on our journey!
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Booker’s “The Reserves” 2026 Batch
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels and Infused with Cinnamon
- Company: Suntory Global Spirits (James B. Beam Distilling Co.)
- Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont, KY)
- Mash Bill: Undisclosed (matches the original Booker’s Rye mash bill)
- Age: 6 Years, 2 Months, 23 Days
- Proof: 125.1 Proof (62.55% ABV)
- SRP: $129.99 – $135.00
- Released: September 2026
- Other: Uncut and unfiltered. Inspired by Booker Noe’s holiday “A.B.C. Wassail” (Apples, Bourbon barrels, and Cinnamon); Freddie Noe adapted the concept into “A.R.C.” (Apples, Rye whiskey, Cinnamon). Crafted using the Booker’s Rye mash bill, secondary aged in French apple brandy casks, and steeped with real cinnamon sticks in a large tea-bag method for 24 hours at roughly 1% of the final blend.
- Purchased: 09/04/2026 for $135 at Jim Beam Outpost (Signed by Freddie Noe)
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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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