2017 Little Book "Chapter 1 - The Easy" Blended Straight Whiskey

Between Booker and Fred Noe, it was going to be tough for anyone to follow in the footsteps of Beam's legendary father and son duo, especially the next generation of Noe kin, but I have to give it to young Freddie Noe: he knocked his first shot at succession right out of the park, over the fence, and into the Ohio River. Freddie, or "Little Book" as he's known amongst his family members, has put together his first foray into the whiskey world. Freddie is known as "Little Book" due to a resemblance to his grandfather, but he's also named his whiskey "Little Book" linking it to the brand Booker's as well. It's another full-throttle, 60% ABV+, massive assault on your taste buds, but it's not a straight Bourbon like Booker's. Looking to add something new to the genre, Freddie blended 13 year old corn whiskey with 6 year old malt whiskey, 6 year old rye whiskey, and 4 year old Kentucky straight Bourbon. The result is a blend of straight whiskies that for all intents and purposes tastes exactly like Bourbon, even if it isn't. It's not some wacky, weird, craft-oriented approach to make something completely new. The palate is rich and spicy, blistering with baking spices and classic Beam texture, but with a fatness from the malt and extra spice from the rye. It's freaking delicious. I think blending skills are going to be what separates the men from the boys as the whiskey glut continues to grow and the Little Book is one beautifully blended whiskey. (David Driscoll, K&L Buyer)