In Booker's Honor - Feature

A Tribute to a Bourbon King: September 16, 2005

by Jean La Douche

The Bourbon culture (and consumption) is going through a renaissance these days, and it would not be without the charisma and frankness of people such as Booker Noe, great grandson of the legendary Jim Beam. The name in Kentucky, other regions of the United States and the world is synonymous with Bourbon Whiskey. The entire story of “America's First Family of Bourbon” is a long one dating back to 1795, when Kentucky farmer Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of “Old Jake Beam Sour Mash.” Now in its seventh generation of Master Distillers, the firm's activities are led by Master Distiller Jerry Dalton and Bourbon Ambassador Fred Noe.

Booker devoted his entire life to Bourbon and became Master Distiller in 1960. He was loved and respected by all he worked with and commanded an imposing presence in any situation. He was responsible for the introduction of the Small Batch Bourbon Collection, comprising Basil Hayden's, Knob Creek, Baker's and the eponymous Booker's, which is bottled straight from top selected barrels. This launched the ultra-premium trend that you'll find today at several distillers. "This is all about tradition and it ties back to great-great-great-great grandfather's [Jacob] sale of a handcrafted barrel," said Fred, who was very emotional at the unveiling of the bronze statue in honor of his father at the Clermont, Ky. distillery on this late summer day.

For more information on Jim Beam: www.jimbeam.com.
For more information on The Small Batch Bourbon Collection and The Knob
Creek Network visit: www.knobcreek.com