Baker’s 7 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Nose: 

After 10 minutes in a Glencarin, I go in for the nose. A huge punch of cinnamon is the first thing to hit the nostrils. An unmistakable Jim Beam nuttiness, almost like a dry roasted peanut, takes over next. Very slight dusted oak and a mingle of baking spices fill the nose. There is no one note that sticks out more than another. The proof shows through at about the 100 to 110 range holding true to how it is bottled. A slight ethanol burn is present, giving me that off-putting medicinal alcohol note I do not enjoy. It is not a bad nose, but nothing too special is jumping out either.

Palate: 

The front of the palate reminds me of an amplified Jim Beam Repeal Batch. There is not much burn, but a lot of that Jim Beam nuttiness shows up. There is a slight rye spice, and that predominant cinnamon note hits the center of the palate giving a little bit of bite/burn. As the bourbon works its way to the second half of the tongue, that dusted oak and nuttiness settles in again. There are no fruit notes to be found in this single barrel at all for me, all peanuts, oak and baking spices. After about 60 seconds post sip, I’m getting a very interesting musty oak note.  I cannot decide whether I like it or not. It’s kind of that funky oak I get in the Knob Creek 9 Year Cask Strength Rye bottle.

Overall, I actually really enjoy the flavor much more than I did during the first third of the bottle. This has definitely improved with a little time to open up.

Mouthfeel/Finish: 

The mouth coating is very average. At 107 proof, I was hoping for more of a mouthfeel and finish. The back of the palate leaves a slight rye tingle, but it dissipates rather quickly. Virtually no bourbon sticks to the sides of the mouth. Honestly, the most lingering area is the center palate which is rather uncommon for me. Between this, Booker’s, and Knob Creek Single Barrel, there is no competition as far as mouth coating and finish are concerned. Baker’s falls short for me.