We are sampling today Baker’s High Rye Single Barrel, Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. That has to be a record for the longest title. Baker’s Bourbon was introduced a while back from Jim Beam Distillery as one of the three B’s, joining Booker’s and Basil Hayden. While Bookers was the big brother, having the heftiest price and proof, Basil was the youngest brother with the lowest price and proof. That leaves Baker’s as the middle child, and you know what they say about the middle kids, they often don’t get the attention they deserve. Well, Beam is trying to correct that and give it some attention with a new release from Baker’s that has, supposedly, twice the rye.
Baker’s High Rye sells for $69, is 107 proof, aged over 7 years, and comes in the same shaped corked bottle as does the regular Baker’s Bourbon. It is a limited release, so will be hard to find once out for a few months. While the word out there says it is twice the rye, Beam does not release mash bill info.
We have always been a casual fan of Baker’s Bourbon, but kind of like that middle child syndrome, really never gave it much thought. Well, we are giving it thought now, let’s see how it taste.
We have a guest taster today, Kelsey. While Kelsey is more into wine and cocktails, she can be known to savor a sip or two of whiskey.
NOSE
Kelsey: I pick up a nice toastiness along with some honey and fruit. Also getting vanilla and a slight hint of ethanol. Ice brought out a little sweetness but not much else.
TB: Rye and wood are the most prominent with vanilla and caramel making an appearance. Secondary aromas include cinnamon, apple, and a touch of licorice and smoke. Ice brought out some more fruit but did away with the smoke aroma.
TASTE
Kelsey: I taste the honey and the vanilla that I got on the nose along with caramel, apricot, and green apple. Behind those is a bit of tobacco and lemon. Ice just made the whole drink smoother.
TB: Slightly hot and sweet upfront with rye taking center stage. Getting tastes of pepper, vanilla, tobacco, grain, and apple as well. Ice opens it up a bit, and we pick up more fruit, sweetness, and a little cinnamon.
FINISH
Kelsey: Medium with more of the sweetness and fruit.
TB: Medium long, clean, with more rye and no bitterness.
OVERALL
Kelsey: I don’t buy a lot of Bourbon so not sure what you get at this price point but once I added ice I liked it.
TB: We agree, the ice really brings out this rye. Good bottle for the price.
Nose: 3.75 out of 5
Taste 6.5 out of 10
Finish 3.25 out of 5
Total score 13.5 out of 20 barrels.
We all agree that Baker’s High Rye is a good drink at a good price. Add to that the fact that it could be hard to find, makes it even more of an attractive bottle to purchase. It does need water/ ice, but hey, that just makes the bottle last longer. If you come across it, TB recommends pulling the trigger and adding it to your collection.