Full List of Little Book Bourbon Releases, Proof, Ranked by Chapter, and More
Little Book Bourbon has been released once annually since the concept of the brand was developed bymaster distiller Freddie Noe in 2017. The Little Book whiskey is a super premium product from Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky.
Little Book has been associated with the tagline, “The next chapter inbourbon tradition.” This was a way to introduce Freddie Noe, an 8th Generation Master Distiller, and next in line at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Moreover,JBBDCo was the firm’s name after US Prohibition. In 2019, this was reinstated to the Beam family’s iconic distillery campus in Clermont, KY that has been producing bourbon since 1935. That includes the number one-selling bourbon in the world, Jim Beam®!
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In a recent$60-million dollar addition, the iconic Kentucky Bourbon brand just added the Fred B. Noe Distillery. This is the heart of the operation and is the home to many of the Small Batch Whiskies and future innovations.
“Our new distillery is really the heart and soul of the Beam legacy. Years ago after my dad, Booker Noe, created the original small batch bourbons, he looked to me to welcome more whiskey drinkers into our family of brands. Now as I look ahead, it’s with great pride that I hand the reins of this special place over to my son Freddie, and I look forward to working side-by-side as he leads the next chapter in whiskey making for the James B. Beam Distilling Co.,” said 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe.
Table of Contents
Chapter 7 In Retrospect
Introducing the captivating Little Book Chapter 7: “In Retrospect.” This latest addition to the Little Book Whiskey series takes whiskey enthusiasts on a memorable journey through the past, while pointing towards an exciting future.
With the foundation of six incredible chapters of Little Book Bourbon, Chapter 7 takes the story to new heights, introducing a unique blend of seven different liquid streams. Each sip from your bourbon glass is a harmonious fusion of one liquid from each previous chapter, combined with an unprecedented seventh addition.
“In Retrospect” pays homage to the rich history of American Whiskey while paving the way for what’s to come. As Freddie, the Eighth Generation Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery, leads us on this extraordinary adventure, he hopes to inspire adventurous souls to venture into uncharted whiskey territories.
But let’s not forget about the extraordinary composition of Little Book Chapter 7. Prepare your senses for a delightful symphony of flavors. Picture your bourbon tumbler filled with a deep russet liquid adorned with golden hues. Inhale the subtle sweetness with a touch of clove spice. Take a sip, and be greeted by a slightly floral essence, intertwined with a hint of smoke and the delightful embrace of sweet vanilla. The journey concludes with a lingering caramel finish.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a whiskey experience unlike any other, let Little Book Chapter 7 be your guide. Let curiosity be your compass and discover the wonders that await along this extraordinary path.
Blend of Whiskies
18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
17-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
5-Year-Old Straight Malt Whiskey finished in Applewood Smoked Barrels
4-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
4-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep russet with golden hues
- Aroma: Subtle sweetness with notes of clove spice
- Palate: Slightly floral with light smoke and sweet vanilla, followed by caramel
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2023
- Proof: 118.1 proof (59.05% ABV)
- MSRP: $150
- Secondary Price: $175
- Style: American blended whiskey
- Distillery: Jim Beam
- City: Clermont, KY
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Chapter 6 To The Finish
Little Book Chapter 6 To The Finish is a blend of five whiskies, or liquid streams, as the brand refers to officially. These various distillates incorporate different wood staves and barrel techniques with a secondary aging process. The foundation of this super premium whiskey brand is to be unique and push the boundaries. With Chapter 6 they’ve incorporated some younger whiskies in the 4 to 5 year range. However, they’ve attempted to make this liquid approachable, even for new whiskey fans who haven’t tested cask strength offerings.
Blend of Whiskies
4-year-old Straight Malt Whiskey finished with cherrywood staves
4-year-old Straight Malt Whiskey finished with applewood smoked barrels
4-year-old Straight Malt Whiskey finished in hickory smoked barrels
4-year-old Straight Malt Whiskey finished with maplewood staves
5-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep amber with copper undertones
- Aroma: Charred oak intermingled with complex mix of savory and sweetness
- Palate: Rich toasted grain notes with hints of sweet wood smoke
- Finish: Bright finish with a robust mouthfeel and welcoming sweetness
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2022
- Proof: 117.45 (58.7 ABV)
- MSRP: $125
- Secondary Price: $175
Chapter 5 The Invitation
Little Book Chapter 5The Invitation is a blend of three bourbons and oneKentucky Straight Malted Rye Whiskey. One 2-year bourbon, one 5-year-old, and one 15-year-old blended with a 3-year malted rye whiskey.Chapter 5The Invitation gains its name as a suggestion for whiskey fans to expand their palates. Think of it as a personal invite from Master Distiller Freddie Noe to drink something unexpected.
Blend of Whiskies
2-year-oldKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
3-year-old Kentucky Straight Malted Rye Whiskey
5-year-oldKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
15-year-oldKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Amber
- Aroma: Coppery herbal, caramel, hay, honied graham cracker, touch of olde candy, overripe fruit and peanuts.
- Palate: Oak, copper, caramel icing, herbal spice, leather, hazelnuts, peanut brittle and bits of overripe fruit, vanilla candy and leather.
- Finish: Long -> Herbal spice, caramel, oak all fade
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2021
- Proof: 116.8 (58.4 ABV)
- MSRP: $125
- Secondary Price: $175
Chapter 4 Lessons Honored
Little Book Chapter 4 Lessons Honored is a blend of two bourbon variants and oneKentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. One 4-year Brown Rice Bourbon gives fans a slight twist on their favorite brown water. While a 7-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is more of what most Jim Beams might be accustomed by from the Clarmont, KY distillery. Those are blended with a 9-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey to add some peppery notes.
Chapter 4 Lessons Honored get its name in honor to Master Distiller Freddie Noe’s father, Fred Noe. The family has a long lineage in the bourbon industry, and this represents the lessons passed down from father to son. The liquid streams in this blend were all chosen based on a direct connection and lesson taught in route to becoming the master distiller Freddie Noe is today.
The base of the blend,a Kentucky Straight Brown Rice Bourbon, represents the first project ever handled on his own at the distillery.The 9-year “high rye” rye whiskey is an ode to Booker’s Rye, one of the first the father-and-son team tasted and selected together. The7-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was actually selected by Freddie’s father, Fred. While he didn’t know it, the son brought a few samples he picked as finalists, and the father picked his favorite to complete the blend.
Even the blue label selected here was a nod to his father’s favorite sports team. If you’re from the Bluegrass State, then you’ll have an easy time figuring out this looks a lot like Kentucky Wildcat blue!
Blend of Whiskies
4-year Brown Rice Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
7-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
9-year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Golden Honey OR Yellow Gold
- Aroma: Welcoming aroma of a barrel rickhouse, with vanilla, oak, and a hint of cereals/grain.
- Palate: Full-bodied, with sweetness of brown sugar, followed by charred wood, and dried cherries.
- Finish: Warm caramel, dry.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2020
- Proof: 122.8 (61.4 ABV)
- MSRP: $125
- Secondary Price: $175
Chapter 3 The Road Home
Little Book Chapter 3 The Road Home is a blend of four bourbons, most which you may recognize. One 9-yearBasil Hayden’s, one 9-year-oldKnob Creek, one 11-year-oldBooker’s, and one 12-yearBaker’s.Chapter 3 The Road Home gets its name from Master Distiller Freddie Noe’s legacy. More specifically, his grandfather Booker, where his nickname originates. Moreover, where this expression of whiskey’s name is derived as well.
Little Book “The Road Home” pays homage to the liquids that Booker Noe introduced to the larger bourbon industry as well. Freddie Noe, the 8th Generation Beam Family Distiller, blended and bottled all of these liquid streams at barrel proof.
Blend of Whiskies
9-year Basil Hayden’s Bourbon Whiskey
9-year Knob CreekBourbon Whiskey
11-year Booker’sBourbon Whiskey
12-year Baker’sKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep golden brown with auburn hues
- Aroma: Caramel, smoky barrel char, sweet baking spices and vanilla
- Palate: Vanilla, char and dried apricot with a lingering oak
- Finish: Lingering, warm and sweet, layered with tones of oak
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Spring 2019
- Proof: 98.6 (48.3 ABV)
- MSRP: $125
- Secondary Price: $170
Chapter 2 Noe Simple Task
Little Book Chapter 2 Noe Simple Task is a blend of three whiskies, two of which may surprise you by their distinction and where they originate from. Hint, it’s many, many miles north of Kentucky and much colder!
Following a trip toAlberta, Canada,Beam distiller Freddie Noe developed a taste forCanadian whiskies. This blend of Little Book utilizes two,a Canadian rye whiskey, a Canadian 100% corn whiskey, all blended with a Kentucky rye to add some spicy notes.
Blend of Whiskies
8-year-old, uncut and unfiltered Kentucky straight rye whiskey at 119.8 proof
40-year-old, uncut and unfiltered 100% corn Canadian whisky at 137.8 proof
13-year-old, uncut and unfiltered Canadian rye whisky at 111.9 proof
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Golden Amber
- Aroma: Caramel with soft spice and dried fruit notes
- Palate: Full bodied blend of seasoned Oak, spice and vanilla notes with hints of cinnamon
- Finish: Slightly lingering with a warm spice finish
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Spring 2018
- Proof: 118.80 (59.4% ABV)
- MSRP: $100
- Secondary Price: $175
Chapter 1 The Easy
Little Book Chapter 1 The Easy is a blend of four whiskies. Oneuncut and unfiltered Kentucky Straight Bourbon, blended with corn,rye whiskey, and malt whiskey. The last three of those are all ingredients commonly found in the bourbon mash bill.
The base is a 4-year uncut and unfiltered bourbon, the next is a13-year uncut and unfiltered* true corn whiskey,Nearly 6-year uncut and unfiltered* 100% malt whiskey, all blended with nearly 6-year uncut and unfiltered* high rye whiskey.
Blend of Whiskies
4-year uncut and unfiltered* bourbon whiskey
13-year uncut and unfiltered* true corn whiskey
Nearly 6-year uncut and unfiltered* 100% malt whiskey
Nearly 6-year uncut and unfiltered* high rye whiskey
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Rich Chestnut Brown
- Aroma: Slight caramel with hints of grain and smokey wood
- Palate: Caramel and vanilla lead with toasted nuts and a hint of rye spice on the middle to back of your palate, while hints of corn grain come through towards the back of your palate
- Finish: Medium to long finish packed with flavor that is complex, approachable and easy to enjoy
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Spring 2017
- Proof: 128.2 (64.1 ABV)
- MSRP: $100
- Secondary Price: $175
MSPR Price vs Secondary Price
TheLittle Book MSRP price currently sits at $125, up from $100 for Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. You will rarely find it for that price in the store however, where prices are typically at least in the $150-range. The Little Book Bourbon secondary price can climb over $200-plus. Naturally, older batches are more rare and expensive.
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Little Book Bourbon Review
Little Book Whiskey is described as “the first and highly anticipated product release from Freddie Noe, eighth generation Beam family member and son of current Beam master distiller, Fred Noe. The debut of Little Book marks an exciting step forward for the next generation of Beam family whiskey makers. Named after the childhood nickname given to Freddie by his grandfather, legendary master distiller, Booker Noe, Little Book is an annual, limited release series that will feature a new and unique blend each year, presented uncut and unfiltered. Guiding each year’s release will be Freddie’s passion for crafting high-quality, interesting blends different from anything else on the market.”
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Chapters Ranked
While every bourbon or whiskey lover will find their very own personal favorites, there is one chapter from this batch that is agreed to rank closer to the bottom. That’s probably an easier route in this ranking. Earlier releases that are commonly praised, include Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. Furthermore, Chapter 4 comes in behind those, with Chapter 1 ranking above Chapter 5. We will see where Chapter 6 falls in rank, stay tuned!
Little Book Bourbon Overview
Producer: Jim Beam Distillery
Release Category: Limited-Edition, Allocated
Release Frequency: 1 Batch Per Year
Release Season: Summer
ABV: Varies by Release
Bottle Size: 750ml
MSRP Price: $125
Avg. Price Retail: $150
AVG Secondary Price: $200+ (early batches more valuable)
Production Codes: N/A
Mash Bill: Varies by Release
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