A change of packaging helps Baker's recover its long confused identity and provide clarity into a flavor profile that now fits logically into Beam's catalogue. Toffee, peanuts and pepper give this moderately proofed bourbon life with an oak structure that complements wonderfully. At 8.5 years for this barrel, each element is hitting just right.
Aggregated Reviews
Raided Score: 91
Publication: Drinkhacker
Excerpt: It’s altogether a very familiar bourbon that feels like it could be just about anything in the Beam stable. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just not the overwhelmingly unique experience that Baker’s has always been, at least for me.
Excerpt: This new version of Baker's, now a single barrel, is sure to be of interest. At seven years old and 107-proof, it's bold and spicy without being overpowering.
Excerpt: The new Baker’s 7 Year Single Barrel may come with a slightly higher price tag, but it still ends up delivering a pleasing above-average sip that is hard to find fault in.
Excerpt: Baker’s heat with every sip was the most defined quality. It lit up my tongue and throat and warmed my belly as it painted a complex landscape of the traditional bourbon flavors with pops of color that crept in like a Jackson Pollock.
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House Review
Synopsis:
A change of packaging helps Baker's recover its long confused identity and provide clarity into a flavor profile that now fits logically into Beam's catalogue. Toffee, peanuts and pepper give this moderately proofed bourbon life with an oak structure that complements wonderfully. At 8.5 years for this barrel, each element is hitting just right.
Intro:
This is the fancy new re-release from Beam in the form of a product re-design. Coming in at 8.5 years old, this should be a pretty solid age for this release. Let's get to it.
Nose:
Really rich on the nose - peanut brittle, 100 Grand candy bar, toffee, sweet cream and a lovely cocoa note. Nice oak so far, no heat.
Taste:
Medium to thick mouth feel. Heat is well behaved. Toffee, oak, pepper and graham cracker. A little nutty, but not wild.
Finish:
Long, sweet and filled with a nice blend of sweet toffee, peanuts and pepper.
Overall:
Honestly, I’m into this. I didn’t really love the previous Bakers, and I didn’t really feel like it belonged in the portfolio. I still kinda wonder where this one does, but I like it a lot, and think the quality bumped up nicely. It’s not blowing anyone away, but I’m thankful to no longer drink Bakers and then ask myself “why, though” after every sip.
Score:
6
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources