I have seen quite a bit of hype and reviews on this bottle and I just happen to come across one in the store. In typical FOMO fashion, I could not help but purchase it and see what all the hype was about; spoiler alert, for me there was no hype. Today’s review comes from the James B. Beam Distillery and is Baker’s Single Barrel Bourbon 7 Year Old.

Bottle Information

From the Baker’s website: From still to rickhouse to bottle, a lot of things happen with Baker’s^® Single Barrel Bourbon. Weather, length of aging and rickhouse placement all shape the distinct notes and flavors of each barrel. See how and where your bottle was born. No two barrels of Baker’s are the same. Each is as unique as the man the bourbon is named for. Each barrel sits in its own unique place throughout our rickhouses, patiently aging for a minimum of seven years to extract the notes of vanilla trapped within the charred oak.

And with Baker’s there’s no batching or mixing. Each bottle is filled from one singular barrel. Which means inside each bottle is a big, bold bourbon, full of tiny subtle details that change barrel to barrel.

• Distiller: James B. Beam Distillery
• Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
• Proof: 107
• Age: 7 Years Minimum
• Year: 2023
• MSRP: $60
• 2024 National Average: $78
• Official Website

I believe this Jim Bean product is just now becoming available in NoCo as this allocation season, even though I know it is not allocated, is the first time I have seen it in local stores. Overall, this was not a bottle I will return to and unfortunately makes me quite hesitant to purchase a Baker’s 13 if I come across one this year. The palate was very underwhelming for the cost of the bottle, and it turned out to be just an alright medium of the road pour. Even more disappointing, there was nothing special to this bottle and I could not get past the unfortunate ethanol-forward nose. I would recommend trying this in a bar to ensure it meets your expectations, before purchasing a bottle. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Brown Sugar, Walnut/Peanut, Charred Oak Barrel, and an Unfortunate Ethanol Forward Note
• Palate: Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Spice, and Bitter Oak
• Finish: Medium with Notes of Baking Spice and Dry Oak
• My Rating: Donate It!/Mix It! (An Alright Medium of the Road Pour…Nothing Special but an Unfortunate Nose)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman™