Johannes Reginald Beam immigrated to the United States from Germany after the American Revolutionary War ended, and he eventually made Kentucky County his home. During that period, Kentucky County was governed by a military governor by the name of John J. Bowman and was still regarded as a part of Virginia.

Beam started collecting corn after moving to Kentucky, and he started a family custom of turning the extra grains he collected into whiskey. Since then, the Beam family has been producing whiskey for the firm of the same name for seven generations (the company is named after James Beam, who saved it during Prohibition).

Booker’s Batch 2017-02, the second release of the Booker’s Bourbon 2017 Collection, was named the “Blue Knights Batch.” The Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, a lesser-known group of associates of Booker Noe, is honored by the name of this round. The Blue Knights are a global organization of police enforcement professionals who share a love of the open road, both active and retired.

When Booker Noe received an invitation to a Blue Knights assembly in Kentucky, they formed an alliance with him. The two became friends immediately, and the next day, in one of his trademark extravagant ways, Noe invited all 300 officers to his house for a barbecue. Eventually, this incident became into a custom, and every Memorial Day weekend, it is now a yearly occasion. Noe was made an honorary member of the Blue Knights by the organization.

In keeping with this custom, Booker’s Bourbon has chosen to commemorate the Blue Knights by producing their own batch of the eponymous bourbon in recognition of their many years of friendship.

This batch, which was bottled at 63.7% ABV, included barrels from four distinct production dates that were aged in various locations across four warehouses: 27% in the sixth floor of nine-story warehouse J, 38% in the seventh floor of nine-story warehouse D, 33% in the fourth floor of nine-story warehouse F, and 2% in the fourth floor of seven-story warehouse ONE. Fred Noe, the 7th Generation Master Distiller for Beam Family, says, “I hope you’ll join me in raising a glass of Booker’s “Blue Knights” and toasting to brotherhood and great bourbon.”

Get yourself a bottle of Booker’s Bourbon Blue Knights Batch now!

Notes on Tasting

Strong aromas of caramel and vanilla, accompanied by white oak tannins and a hint of smokiness. On the palate, there are rich, nuanced vanilla flavors accompanied by hints of wood and almonds. It has a long, rich, and well-balanced finish that makes it simple to drink.