Is it better or worse for a brand to be set in its ways? I ponder this question whenever on the topic of Booker’s. Other than its release schedule (going from six to four times per year, except 2020) and typical age statement (six to eight years), the Booker’s brand has barely evolved, if at all. We could throw in and consider the occasional LE like the 25^th/30^th Anniversary, one-time rye release, and recent Reserves extension, but the core line is about as unchanged as you can get in the whiskey zeitgeist.

Whether this is a point of criticism or endearment varies depending on who you talk to. I’d even argue it can change based on when you catch someone in their whiskey journey (assuming they’re on one). For example, if you’d asked me between 2020-2022, I’d have described Booker’s as archaic or sadly behind the times. Nowadays? I look at Booker’s as something of a safe haven, albeit at an arguably inflated price point.

Ironically, the Booker’s release I’m reviewing today comes from 2022. Lumberyard was the second Booker’s batch from that year, boasting the first seven-year age statement on a regular Booker’s batch since 2015’s The Center Cut. As with every Booker’s batch, it includes a story card, with this one mentioning how Booker Noe’s pre-distillery years at a lumberyard helped cultivate his work ethic. Lumberyard also won over many critics, with some ranking it higher than older, beloved batches. Although I wasn’t able to procure a bottle due to limited availability in Florida at the time, I did come in to a sample a while back. So let’s dive in.

Nose: Toasted Pecan, Tobacco, Cardamom, Bread Pudding

Smoky, Full, Earthy

Palate: Salted Caramel, Tobacco, Caramel Latte, Honey Roasted Nuts

Full, Creamy, Rounded

Finish: Dark Brown Sugar, Pepper, Brown Butter, Clove

Long, Warm, Balanced

Lumberyard Batch provides precisely what I look for in a great Booker’s batch. The texture is spot-on, the finish is long, and the overall profile strikes a sound balance despite the whiskey’s bold profile. Furthermore, there’s ample flavor to go around, from sweet to savory and just the right amount of bitter and tannic notes. As with most Booker’s bottles, there’s not a ton of depth or complexity, but it doesn’t need to be. In true Booker’s fashion, Lumberyard is focused on sticking to a certain profile and delivering it in a way that feels tailor-made to the brand’s dedicated fanbase.