HOW did Booker's get so Popular in the 1990's?? Also, Booker's 2023-04 Storyteller Review!!

Рет қаралды 930

5 ай бұрын

Is Booker's Storyteller Batch 2023-04 worth $100?
Also, is it the best batch of Booker's in 2023?
Find out!
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
My Scoring System:
Strong Buy - Buy on sight!! More than worth the money!
Buy - Worth your money! Always have one on the shelf
Hold - Try before you buy, might not be worth your money or time
Sell - Don't buy, will never buy again
Experience - Nose, Palate, Finish
Allocation - How easy is it to find and at MSRP
Style Points - Impressive & Excitement at purchase
Contact: Whiskeybank23@gmail.com
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Пікірлер: 67

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

What's your favorite batch of 2023? What are your expectations for 2024 for Booker's?

@jimbird1985 5 ай бұрын

I really enjoyed Charlie’s Batch. I bought the Storyteller Batch but have not cracked it open yet.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

@@jimbird1985 Hey Jim! Charlie's batch is my favorite from 2023 and I wish I got a bottle. I skipped it as I got 22-03 & 04 and didn't want to spend another $100 on the 1st batch of 2023 😅. Oh well. Thanks a ton for your view and comment so quickly after video launch as you always do! Super appreciate all of them and cheers~

@jimbird1985 5 ай бұрын

@@WhiskeyBank I’m going to start waiting to try and find them at Costco from now on. As you said $99-$111 a bottle is pretty steep for an item that is not delivering consistently. $79 seems more reasonable for Bookers if you can find it at your local Costco.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

@@jimbird1985 Yes! Or Ralph's! They had it for $76 and I was about to cry 😅. That wouldn't be a bad price for booker's.

@boswineguy5461 4 ай бұрын

Very good breakdown about why Booker's was so popular - it was way ahead of its time in a lot of ways. Interestingly, the pricing of a lot of products have moved up to the Booker's level so it doesn't seem so bad. There's a lot of cask strength 6yr old MGP for $120-150.

@WhiskeyBank 4 ай бұрын

You're right, if I think about it, prices have "caught up" to booker's and at 90 to 100, it's not bad compared to today's prices. I'll need to reassess the pricing on my next Booker's review 🤔. Thank you so much for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and cheers ~

@thatbourbondude 5 ай бұрын

I'm glad I watched your review on this bottle before I picked it up.....saved me some money 💰. Great video, David. I really enjoy your content.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Thanks my man! Been enjoying your content as well 😆. It's not a bad bottle but I wish I found it at Ralph's earlier for $75 instead of $95 🤣. If prices go back down that range, the ranging would have changed. Oh well, maybe 2024 will bring us some better pricing 😁. Thanks a million for your view and comment! Truly appreciate it and cheers ~ also keep up the good work on your channel! I know it seems tough now but once you start to pick up steam, it'll grow fast! 👍

@danawollam1805 5 ай бұрын

Another well presented review. I truly love the way the Beam family has a story behind the Bookers releases. It's sad that all aren't as special as their stores. But I'm sure that won't stop the guys that just got to have the next Bookers release. Thanks again. D

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Dana! Booker's has a strong following and it's hard to see the demand go down too much unless quality goes down again or prices increase. It's a good pour but unfortunately I don't have unlimited resources so I'll probably have to skip 2024 to focus on other bottles. Oh well. Thanks for always viewing and commenting on my videos so soon after video! It helps me out tremendously and I truly appreciate it! Cheers my friend~

@frankd.506 5 ай бұрын

I haven't had Bookers in so long I almost can't remember there's just so many choices today and that's not a bad thing, keep up the good work.🥃

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Frank! You're right about the choices and hopefully that's either lower the price on the booker's or increase the quality 😆. Let's hope for a great year of booker's in 2024! I greatly appreciate your view and comment so soon after video launch! Thank you so much and cheers ~

@daven8905 5 ай бұрын

Bookers is great. So much character from the packaging to the liquid inside. Knob Creek Single Reserve makes these really difficult value wise, but it’s a fun bourbon to pick up once in a while.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

I agree! I just wish it was slightly less expensive 😆. If I find the 2024 batches at Costco or Ralph's prices (~$75), I'll probably pick it up but at $100+, unless I see great reviews on it, will probably be a skip. Those knob creek single barrels are fantastic! Thanks a ton for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

@durzagon88 5 ай бұрын

Grest video as always. I liked Storyteller but it was my only Bookers. I will say this you living in California gives you a perspective of availability that is nothing like other states. Cali gets so much more allocated liquor compared to other states it makes little sense by it is true. In FL total wines sell out of most of the bottles you sat are easy to get. If you regularly hunt you can get buffalo trace and saz rye. Everything else you might see a few times a year if lucky. You are also a grand reserve member so you get access to bottles that most cannot access at Total WIne.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

That is very true. So I asked around a little regarding California's availability of allocated bourbons (and whiskeys in general) and it is due to the fact that there is a large population here that drinks a ton but doesn't drink bourbons (i.e. tequila, vodka, wine, beer, soju, sake, etc.). Since there is so much alcohol sales, the stores are able to get more allocated bourbons. Many states, that's not the case. So even though I feel like allocation is bad, I realized that I'm lucky as well 😆. Hopefully the allocation gets better for all of us in 2024! 😉. Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

@jonathansantana6239 5 ай бұрын

Seeing as our palates tend to ailyn , I think I ll just have a pour of Bookers at a bar. I had a pour last year but I can't remember the batch. It was comparable to 1920 but hotter and more chocolate. Gr8 vid can't wait for the next one.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Jonathan! Booker's is good but a good knob creek single barrel (120 proof) or a knob creek 12 will probably give 90% of the experience of this booker's batch. But if you get a bottle, let me know how you like it! Thanks a ton for your view and comment so quickly after video launch as you always do! Truly appreciate it and cheers ~

@russwilson2182 5 ай бұрын

Very good review. I really enjoy the way you do your reviews, they stand out from all of the others.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Russ! I'm glad you are enjoying my videos 😆. If there is anything you don't like or changes you want to see to make it even more enjoyable, please let me know as I love to get some fresh ideas and I know I always need to improve or I'm declining 😀. I greatly appreciate you always viewing and commenting on my videos! Thank you so much and cheers~

@keithsmith4944 5 ай бұрын

Great video David with some good bourbon history and background. My first Bookers was the Mighty Fine batch and it’s just ok. A little hot on the palate and it blocks some of the flavor experience neat. It’s ok on a block of ice. Glad I own it but won’t go back at these prices anytime soon. Cheers!

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Keith! Same thoughts on the storyteller batch, good but not worth it. Hopefully the price will come down to $70 to $80 or the age statement for up to match the price. Let's hope for a good year of booker's in 2024! Thanks a million for all your views and comments so soon after video launch! Helps me a ton! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

@BradleyBaker 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the warning. I had Charlie's Batch and it was excellent. Like all single barrels, can be hit or miss.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Bradley! Every batch is so different in Booker's, especially in 2023, that it is absolutely important to try before you buy 😆. Wish I did with this one 😅. Thanks a million for your view and comment as you always do! Super appreciate it all and cheers ~

@CiboloDave 5 ай бұрын

Great review. Side note, I was in the OC for a few days and made it to Hi Proof. Cool shop. I think they are going to be a go to place.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Dave! It is a cool shop and a place I need to visit. I'm about 40 minutes apart from the place (with no traffic 😅) so I don't go up there often but next time I do, I will visit there for sure~ Thanks a ton for your view and comment so quickly after video launch as you always do! Truly appreciate it and cheers ~

@nickp5511 5 ай бұрын

Nice review! I really enjoy this batch and it’s probably behind the Mighty Fine batch and my favorite of this (2023)year is Charlie’s batch! Again for me it’s 72.00 each:)

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Nick! At $72, the rating definitely would have changed! I think the $100 figure is a mental hurdle with the triple digits and once it gets there, I'm expecting greatness 😆. Oh well, maybe I'll be able to find booker's at that price in 2024! Thanks a ton for your view and comment! Truly appreciate it and cheers ~

@skydog8702 5 ай бұрын

The only 2023 Bookers I had was Mighty Fine Batch, which I thought was delicious. Cheers Kevin

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Kevin! Mighty fine batch is a good one and hopefully you got it at a good price~ I enjoy booker's but it's always been the allocation and price that's keeping me from giving it a good rating. Booker's is the reason I fell in love with bourbons and maybe that is why my expectations are high (maybe too high). Thanks a ton for your view and comment so quickly after video launch! Super appreciate it and cheers ~

@TheBloody81 5 ай бұрын

Great review David! I did see this batch and glad I didn't get it. I do have the Mighty Fine batch and I enjoyed it. We shall see how the 2024 relases turn out. Cheers bro!

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Jesus! I think if you see the Storyteller Batch at Costco or Ralph's (~$75), then it might be worth a try, but at $100 or above, it is not a buy as there are other good bottles to get. I missed out on Charlie's Batch and Mighty Fine Batch, which I regret now 😆. Like you said, maybe 2024 will be the year of Booker's! I greatly appreciate you always viewing and commenting on my videos! Thank you so much and cheers~

@peterpete5848 5 ай бұрын

In my humble opinion, $100 is too much. I have 2022, passed on in 2023. As of now I am enjoying Cooper's Craft, JJ Bowman and Penedryn Madeira Finished Welsh Single Malt, and I think each of those tastier than Booker's, and surely cheaper. David, I am happy to see Chanel growing.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Peter! I agree! I think this batch is very close to a knob creek 9 year single barrel (120 proof) and probably not better than knob creek 12. Let's hope 2024 batches come out some great ones! Thank you so much for always viewing and commenting on my videos so soon after launch! Truly appreciate all of them and cheers~

@davevogelsang6791 5 ай бұрын

Great review David. I have the 2022-02 Lumberyards Batch and all the 2023 Bookers. The only one I have tried is the 2023-03 Mighty Fine Batch. I think it is good. 🥃

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Dave! I believe the Charlie's batch and the mighty fine batch are both better than the storyteller batch in 2023. I regret not getting a bottle of either 😆. But it seems some comments are already disagreeing with my review 🤣. Once you open your bottle, let me know your thoughts on the storyteller batch! I truly appreciate all your views and comments so soon after video launch! Thanks for all you do for me and the community! Cheers my friend~

@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424 5 ай бұрын

this is the first bookers i’ve tried and it was delicious. i ain’t going to hunt for each batch but it’s delicious nonetheless

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

I agree it's a good pour and a bottle I will finish rather quickly. Maybe I had too high hopes due to some good reviews and the name of the batch (storyteller was a great name 😆). If I had the opportunity, I would rather get the Charlie's Batch or Mighty Fine Batch and thats why I gave it the rating I did. Maybe I'll change my mind as I go through this bottle and will change the rating in my "buy more or never more" videos 😉. Thank you so much for your view and comment so quickly after video launch! Helps a ton and I super appreciate it! Cheers~

@Cicero-ri8ke 5 ай бұрын

Outstanding video! I just traded some Weller 107’s, Weller Full Proof, EH Taylor Small Batch, and Eagle Rare for a Stagg 22A, Stagg 22B, and Stagg 23C. I’m sure I traded too much but I’m really excited about securing these Staggs. Hope they’re worth it!

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

That is a great trade! To get a series of Staggs is just so hard to do! 😆. Let me know once you had a couple of pours which one is your favorite! Thank you so much for your view and comment as you always do on my videos! Greatly appreciate it all and cheers ~

@Cicero-ri8ke 5 ай бұрын

@@WhiskeyBank I think when you get to two thousand subscribers you should do a special show. Maybe do a blind of your five most expensive bottles or something crazy like that. You should be at two thousand soon! Keep up the great work!

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

@@Cicero-ri8ke didn't think about doing something special for it but since you mentioned it.... maybe I should... 🤔. I'll need to put some thought into this. Thank you for giving me an idea! 😁

@MichaelBortner-qk4zl 5 ай бұрын

I think bookers is an $85 bottle unfortunately in Maryland you see it at 100+ I agree lately I’ve seen it on the shelves for considerable time. Last bottle I bought was the Charlie’s batch just too many good bottles out there for $100-$110 and it is typically only like seven year old juice as far as age statement. Cheers, David.🥃😎

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Michael! I agree! The age statement is forgivable if the taste is fantastic but it seems they are making bigger batches (which is good for availability) but using some barrels that are not as great, which is affecting quality from batch to batch. Charlie's batch was a good one but unfortunately I decided to skip that one for some reason 😅. I so greatly appreciate your views and comments so soon after video launch as you always do! Thanks a million for every single one of them and cheers~

@camhester357 5 ай бұрын

Best batch from last year IMO!! So much so I bought a backup 🤣 it’s liquid peanut brittle so goood

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Cam! That's the beauty of whiskeys, one person's love could be another person's... stranger? 😅 (no idea if that makes sense, didn't want to use the trash analogy). It's a good pour and I'll definitely finish the bottle but it wasn't what I expected. Maybe I'll have the bottle over time and by the time I finish it, I'll change my mind on the "buy more or never more" videos 😉. Thank you so much for your view and comment so quickly after video launch! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

@camhester357 5 ай бұрын

@@WhiskeyBank couldn’t agree more, cheers! Keep up the great reviews 👌🏻🥃

@belowaveragebourbon 5 ай бұрын

I got that bottle for Christmas from my wife it’s good but probably wouldn’t buy another of this batch cheers

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Chris! I agree! The prices need to come down to Costco level (~$75) for me to consider buying 2024 batches 😆. Let's hope it does 😎. Thanks a million for your view and comment as you always do on my channel! Truly appreciate it and cheers ~

@clemonsjoey 4 ай бұрын

Just picked one up tonight at Ralph’s for $75

@WhiskeyBank 4 ай бұрын

That is a fantastic price and a "buy" at $75! Once you have a pour, let me know how you like it! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and cheers~

@mikem4432 5 ай бұрын

if you can find it.. 100$ is well worth it today.. also from one batch to the next they are different..

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Mike! It was a good pour but wasn't worth the $100 for me. It's very close to a knob creek 9 year pick coming in at $50 to $60 and I would rather have the knob creek 12. But that's the beauty of whiskeys as one person's rating is never a definite thing and we can get so many different notes and feeling even with the same pour 😆. I greatly appreciate your view and comment so soon after video launch! Thank you so much and cheers ~

@100Proofer 5 ай бұрын

I did a Booker's blind flight of 6 batches and turns out, Im not a big fan of them. Id still enjoy one but I dont think Ill pick one up, especially with the KC picks for half the price.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Danny! That was a great idea to do a flight. I agree on Knob Creek single barrel (120 proof) is probably 90% of the experience but with half the price. If you blend in a knob creek 12 for some oak, it might even be better 😆. We need to meet up again sometime. 😉. Thanks a million for your view and comment so quickly after video launch! Super appreciate it and cheers ~

@RJR2222 5 ай бұрын

I always get a Jim Bean peanut note on Bookers. The batches I like are more like peanut butter. I pass on these

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Yeah, it's the price point on these. I think if it was closer to the $70 or $80 it was a couple years ago (or if you find it at Costco 😆), it's a decent buy but hard to justify at $100+. Hopefully either the prices come down or quality goes up! Thanks a ton for your view and comment so quickly after video launch! Helps me a ton and I super appreciate it! Cheers ~

@ScottW4631 5 ай бұрын

My palate differs from yours. I get a lot of sweetness on the front palate. One of my favorites. Tried all batches in 2024. 04 was my favorite. 02 the worst.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Scott! It seems like 2023-02 batch is widely agreed upon worst of 2023 😆 as I agree with that as well. I just didn't get the sweetness you got as hard as I tried. Maybe it's something I ate or something but it just wasn't there. Maybe when I through the bottle the next couple of months, I'll get it change my rating in my buy more or never more video 🤣. Thank you so much for your insightful comment! Super appreciate it and cheers ~

@ScottW4631 5 ай бұрын

You reminded me that I did not get the sweetness when I first opened the bottle. It wasn’t till after it sat for a couple of weeks that I got the sweetness. Keep up your great reviews. Much appreciated.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

@@ScottW4631 I'll keep that in mind as I drink through the bottle. Hopefully I'll let it open up before I finish it 🤣

@samoanbarkeep 5 ай бұрын

I stopped doing Bookers. 4 batches a year, 100 bucks. Too much.

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

It does get expensive with so many batches a year with no guarantee it's going to be good 😅. Let's hope it improves greatly in 2024! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and cheers ~

@renepirolt 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the review David. I am seeing Bookers a little more on the shelf lately, but prices I have seen here in Denver run $140 to $170. It's a pass for me for now. Cheers!

@WhiskeyBank 5 ай бұрын

Hey Rene! Oof! That's a little high! Hopefully with more availability (it seems that way), prices will come down in 2024. I think you can get 90% of the experience with a good knob creek 9 year single barrel (120 proof). Maybe blend in the knob creek 12 to get some more oak and it'll probably be better 😆. Let me know if you ever pick up a bottle and how you like it! Thanks a million for your view and comment so quickly after video launch! Helps me a ton and truly appreciate it! Cheers ~

@renepirolt 5 ай бұрын

Agreed 👍! I'll wait until Bookers releases a honey batch, then I'll bite, even if it's a little more. Until then I will enjoy the KB 9, 12, and also the single barrel picks, which are among my absolute favorite bourbons.