After my tasting with Booker's 2021-02 Tagalong Batch went as well as it did... I thought I'd try to compare it against one of my favorite batches of all time: Country Ham (2019-03). Let's see if it can hang!
Tagalong Batch
Company on Label: James B. Beam
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley
Proof: 127.9°
Age: 6 years
Further identification: 2021-02 Tagalong Batch comes bearing a light green label in a wooden box with a batch information card
Country Ham
Company on Label: James B. Beam
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley
Proof: 124.7°
Age: 6 years
Further identification: 2019-03 Country Ham comes bearing a light gray label in a wooden box with a batch information card
Tagalong Nose:
- Vanilla/marshmallow forward
- Cinnamon
- Oak
- Citrus/mint
- Chocolate
- Fruity
Country Ham Nose:
- Caramel forward
- Brown sugar
- Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Big citrus/woody/Pinesol note
Tagalong Palate:
- Apricot syrup
- Tannic
- Vanilla
- Dry oak
- Big, thick mouth coating
Country Ham Palate:
- Cinnamon
- Molasses
- Maple syrup
- Oak
- Tannic
- Peach
Final Ranking: Country Ham > Tagalong Batch
The old staple is hard to beat. I do think the Tagalong Batch is a return to a classic profile, but doesn’t have the same potent brown sugar ‘wow’ factor. I still thoroughly enjoy both pours.
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