Jim Beam is celebrating 225 of distilling this year. Baker’s is probably the least discussed member of their Small Batch Collection and we’re not sure why. Basil Hayden, Booker’s, Knob Creek all have a higher profile than the Baker Beam namesake we featured this week on the pod. In fact it was only on our radar because Chalonda found an article about the revamped bottle design and how it could be a collectors item now that it’s retired.

Baker’s began as a 7yr small batch release but nowadays it’s rolled out in 7yr and 13yr single barrel variations. Gone is the wine bottle silhouette popularized by the legendary Booker’s releases. In its place its a smaller, bolder label design and a bottle shape that looks a lot like Absolut Vodka.

**Basil Hayden and Basil Hayden Dark Rye, 80 Proof**

**The Legendary Booker’s Country Ham 2019-3**

We forget that that Jim Beam and Makers Mark are both owned by Suntory. My first dance with Bakers was at JFK Airport in NYC on my way to Dublin. The Bourbon Legends Tasting Exhibit gave anyone in that international terminal samples to enjoy. That Baker’s when taking it side-by-side with Knob Creek 12 comes for your nose with waves of rich vanilla and classic caramel overtones. Most Beam offering are notorious for that nuttiness in the aroma or on the palate.

Chalonda picks up a black walnut note in those releases, it tastes more like a peanut brittle or a toffee to me, either way always a nuts for sure. Bakers somehow plays almost like a product from a completely different distillery. It’s a fantastic variation on what you expect from the Jim Beam lineup. It’s fair to compare the flavor profile difference of Bakers and Knob Creek 12 to that of Evan Williams BIB (white label) and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof from Heaven Hill .

**7 Proof Points Higher and 3yr Older Than Standard Knob Creek**

Not sure why Baker’s isn’t discussed more in the bourbon world. We are half way into our bottle already and it is quite the groove. Had the bottle design not changed we would have missed a chance at exploring this one.

Knob Creek 12 on the other hand with its rich flavor profile in every aspect was named top whiskey of 2020 in some circles. At 100 proof you did get a those smoky tobacco notes, the big, boozy spice notes as well as the delicate caramels found in Baker’s.

For my money I’ll still tell you last year’s the Binnys Select Barrel Picks of Knob Creek at 120 proof were the best thing I had from Beam last year. But we can understand why folks are amped about Knock Creek 12.

**The Recently Retired Baker’s Small Batch**

Beam Small Batch Collection when it debuted was meant to raise awareness of the main portfolio offering different special releases for nerds to get excited about. The idea isn’t too much different from Single Malt Scotch philosophy across the pond.

They were ahead of the curve, now as much of the enthusiasm around bourbons these days is centered around unique one-off barrel strength releases. You can thank Jim Beam for changing the landscape of American bourbon forever with this collection.

Other Notes:

-Booker’s Kathleen’s Batch and Country Ham were part of postgame follies after last week’s recording.

-Be sure to check out Episode 33 of The Neat Pour Podcast for all our thoughts on Knob Creek 12 and Baker’s 7yr

The Original Small Batch Bourbon Collection

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