Booker’s Bourbon: Charlie’s Batch & Dave's Beam Turnaround

Dave and H uncork Booker's Bourbon (Batch 2023-01 "Charlie’s Batch"), a 63.3% ABV barrel-proof bourbon from the Jim Beam Distillery in Kentucky, and find it brimming with rich flavor and stories. They’re amazed at the deep caramel and maple syrup notes in this whiskey and how smooth it drinks despite its high proof. Along the way, the guys share plenty of laughs and bourbon insights in their signature unscripted style.

This tasting session doubles as a story of redemption. Dave admits he had a long-time aversion to Jim Beam (thanks to some rough teenage encounters with White Label and cola), but this premium small-batch release completely redeems the brand’s reputation for him. You’ll hear the legend of Booker Noe venturing into a rickhouse in the 1980s to create Booker's Bourbon, learn why this batch is nicknamed “Charlie’s Batch” (hint: it's named after the craftsman behind the bourbon’s iconic wooden box), and find out why they’re calling it a “healing bourbon.” By the end, Booker's has turned bad bourbon memories into a newfound appreciation – and earned a permanent spot on their shelf.

Episode Outline:
0:00 – Introduction and light banter
0:40 – Revealing Booker's "Charlie's Batch" bourbon
0:58 – Dave’s past bad bourbon memory (Jim Beam trauma)
2:30 – The story of Booker Noe’s 1980s bourbon quest
3:53 – What makes Booker's special: black wax & small-batch legacy
4:30 – Giving Booker's a chance – a "healing" moment for Dave
5:05 – Tasting notes: 63.3% ABV but incredibly smooth & flavorful
6:00 – Charlie’s Batch details (7 years 1 month old, named after Charlie Hutchins)
6:33 – Barrel nerd-out: where the batch’s whiskey came from
7:53 – Each Booker's batch is unique (finding the “good stuff”)
8:18 – How to get a bottle in Australia (availability)
8:47 – Bourbon therapy in action: is Dave’s Jim Beam curse lifted?
10:09 – Final thoughts, recommendations & sign-off

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