Booker’s Bourbon has kicked off 2025 with a special release that’s turning heads and warming hearts. Known as Barry’s Batch, this bottle is more than just another whiskey—it’s a tribute to Barry Berish, a legendary figure in the Jim Beam family who left a lasting mark over his 40-year career. With a bold 125.7 proof and a flavor profile packed with spice and oak, this release is a fitting nod to a man who helped shape the brand into what it is today.
Barry Berish wasn’t just any employee. He climbed the ranks to become chairman and CEO during his decades with Jim Beam, earning respect and admiration along the way. Beyond his titles, he was a close friend and trusted partner to Fred Noe, the 7th-generation Master Distiller. Berish passed away in 2024, and this batch—labeled 2025-01 as the first Booker’s release of the year—stands as a heartfelt goodbye. “We’re so thankful for all he did and who he was—a genuinely great guy and one of a kind,” Fred Noe shared in a statement from the company. “This one’s for you, Barry. You’ll always be with us.”
What Makes Barry’s Batch Special?
Booker’s Bourbon has a reputation for delivering big, barrel-proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, and Barry’s Batch is no exception. Clocking in at 62.85% ABV (that’s 125.7 proof), it’s a powerhouse that’s been aged for seven years, two months, and four days. This puts it right in line with what fans expect from Booker’s—robust and full of character. Compared to the last batch of 2024, which honored Wild Turkey’s Jimmy Russell, Barry’s Batch is just a touch lower in proof and a bit younger, but it still packs a punch.
Image credit: Booker’s
The bourbon comes from barrels stored across six different Jim Beam warehouses, each adding its own twist to the final blend. Here’s how it breaks down: 41% of the barrels aged on the 5th floor of warehouse 3, 14% on the 5th floor of warehouse 1, 4% on the 7th floor of warehouse H, 32% on the 5th floor of warehouse X, and 9% on the 4th floor of warehouse G. These spots—mostly mid-to-upper levels in the warehouses—help shape the whiskey’s flavor as it matures, influenced by temperature shifts and air flow over those seven-plus years.
Tim Heuisler, the global ambassador for Suntory Global Spirits (Jim Beam’s parent company), explained what sets Booker’s apart: “It’s always a little different from the last batch, but it’s still got that unmistakable Booker’s vibe.” He pointed out that the bourbon goes into the barrels at 125 proof, so ending up at 125.7 proof means it picked up just a hint more kick while aging. That’s part of the magic of barrel-proof whiskey—no water added, just pure, unfiltered flavor.
A Peek Inside the Flavor
So, what’s it like to sip Barry’s Batch? According to the folks at Jim Beam, it starts with a welcoming aroma of vanilla and spice that pulls you right in. Take a taste, and you’ll get hit with a wave of bold spice and that classic Booker’s intensity—perfect for fans who love a bourbon with some muscle. But it doesn’t stop there. The finish lingers, smoothing out into a sweet, oak-heavy note that’s surprisingly easygoing for such a high-proof drink. Heuisler summed it up: “This is a big bourbon, no doubt. It’s one that Booker’s fans are going to rave about.”
Image credit: Booker’s
The blending process is a hands-on affair, led by Fred Noe and his son Freddie, the 8th-generation distiller. They don’t just throw barrels together and call it a day. The team whips up three or four different blends, tasting and tweaking until they find the one that feels just right. It’s a process that ensures every batch, including Barry’s Batch, lives up to the Booker’s name.
Booker’s Bourbon: A Yearly Tradition
Jim Beam puts out four Booker’s batches each year, each with its own name and personality. Barry’s Batch, being the first of 2025, gets the code 2025-01. That’s how they keep track—year and batch number, simple and straightforward. Every release is barrel-proof, meaning it’s bottled straight from the barrel without dilution, and the age usually hovers around seven years or more, like this one.
On top of the regular quarterly releases, Jim Beam sometimes drops special editions that shake things up. Back in 2016, they rolled out Booker’s Rye, a rare treat that fans still talk about. Then there’s Booker’s The Reserves, which debuted in 2024 with about 20,000 bottles and is now set to be an annual thing. Those limited runs are harder to come by, but Barry’s Batch is a standard release, hitting shelves nationwide with a suggested price of $100. While the company doesn’t share exact bottle numbers for these regular batches, they’re likely produced in bigger quantities than the specialty stuff, making them easier to snag.
Why Barry’s Batch Matters
This release isn’t just about great bourbon—it’s about honoring a legacy. Barry Berish spent 40 years with Jim Beam, steering the ship through good times and tough ones. His friendship with Fred Noe made him more than a colleague; he was family. Naming this batch after him feels personal, a way to keep his memory alive in every glass poured.
For bourbon lovers, Barry’s Batch offers everything they crave: a high-proof kick, a rich flavor profile, and a story that adds depth to every sip. It’s the kind of bottle you’ll want to share with friends—or savor solo while toasting to a guy who helped make Booker’s what it is today. At $100, it’s priced right for a premium bourbon, and with its nationwide rollout, it’s ready to find a spot on shelves and in collections everywhere.
Whether you’re a longtime Booker’s fan or just dipping your toes into barrel-proof bourbon, Barry’s Batch is a standout start to 2025. It’s a drink that celebrates the past while delivering a bold taste of the present—one that Barry Berish would surely be proud of.
