Booker Noe loved his dessert as much as he loved his bourbon, and being the inventor that he was, he found a way to bring the two together. As a child, Fred Noe would go fishing with his father, where the two would enjoy homemade chocolate malted milkshakes spiked with a generous pour of bourbon after a day out on the water. That family tradition is the inspiration behind the second release of Booker's 2026 Collection — Batch 2026-02, the "Milkshake Batch."
This batch is composed of barrels drawn from four production dates, stored across four different seven-story rickhouses: 32% from the fifth floor of Warehouse G at Waterfall, 26% from the fifth floor of Warehouse 3, 23% from the third floor of Warehouse L, and 19% from the third floor of Warehouse M. Bottled uncut and unfiltered at its natural batch strength of 124.4 proof, and aged 7 years, 6 months, and 12 days, "Milkshake Batch" delivers the bold, concentrated intensity Booker's is known for.
"The aroma is rich and thick with vanilla and oak that is inviting you to take a taste," said master distiller Fred Noe of this release. "I enjoyed the full, flavorful finish that lingers and makes you want another sip."
Note: Despite its name, this is a traditional straight bourbon — it is not milkshake-flavored. The name is a tribute to family tradition, not a flavor claim.
Palate: Brown sugar, melted caramel, vanilla cake, charred oak, cinnamon, and pepper spice.
Finish: Long and full-flavored, with lingering oak, vanilla, caramel, and warming spice.
How to Enjoy
Pour it neat in a whiskey tasting glass and let it rest for several minutes to allow the vanilla, caramel, oak, and baking-spice aromas to emerge around its barrel-strength intensity. A few drops of water can soften the proof while revealing additional sweetness, citrus, cocoa, and spice. It's equally enjoyable over a single large ice cube — or, in a nod to the batch's namesake, added sparingly to a homemade chocolate malted milkshake.
Why Bourbon Collectors Seek This Out
Second release in Booker's celebrated 2026 Collection
Genuine barrel-proof bourbon at 124.4 proof — uncut and unfiltered
Aged over 7.5 years, sourced from four distinct warehouse locations
A meaningful family story behind the name, direct from the Noe family
Strong price-to-proof value at its suggested retail price
Released every few months in limited batches — each one distinct
Product Details
Type
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Size
750mL
ABV
62.20% Alc. Vol. (124.4 Proof)
Age
7 Years, 6 Months, 12 Days
Filtration
Uncut, Unfiltered
Batch
2026-02 "Milkshake Batch" — 2nd Release of the 2026 Collection
Distillery
Jim Beam / Beam Suntory, Kentucky
Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this batch called the "Milkshake Batch"?
The name honors a family tradition started by legendary Jim Beam master distiller Booker Noe, who loved adding a generous pour of bourbon to homemade chocolate malted milkshakes. It's a tribute to that memory, not a description of the bourbon's flavor — this is a traditional, unflavored straight bourbon.
What proof is this bourbon, and is it flavored?
It's bottled at its natural batch strength of 124.4 proof (62.20% ABV). Despite the playful name, it is not milkshake-flavored — it's a traditional, uncut and unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon.
How old is this bourbon?
This batch is aged 7 years, 6 months, and 12 days, blended from barrels drawn from four different production dates and warehouse locations.
What does it taste like?
Expect rich vanilla, seasoned oak, caramel, and baking spice on the nose; brown sugar, melted caramel, vanilla cake, charred oak, and cinnamon on the palate; with a long finish of lingering oak, vanilla, and warming spice.
How should I drink a high-proof bourbon like this?
Best sipped neat in a tasting glass, letting it rest a few minutes to open up. A few drops of water can soften the proof and reveal additional sweetness and spice. It's also enjoyable over a large ice cube — or, true to its name, stirred into a chocolate malted milkshake.
How is this different from other Booker's batches?
Every Booker's batch is bottled uncut and unfiltered at its own natural barrel strength, so proof, age, and flavor vary release to release. Batch 2026-02 is defined by its specific blend of barrels from four warehouse locations and its distinctive family story.
Is this a limited release?
Yes. Booker's releases a new small batch every few months, and each batch is distinct and produced in limited quantity. Once 2026-02 sells out, it will not be reproduced.
