Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Little Book Chapter 7: “In Retrospect”, is a blend of seven cask strength whiskeys. It is a limited release expression crafted at the small Fred Noe Distillery, but I wouldn’t call it a craft distillery. Even though they only produce around seventy barrels of liquid each day, the “craft” label just doesn’t properly describe the operation. While they’re small unto themselves, they’re a subdivision of whiskey giant Beam Suntory, and housed on one of the larger Beam campuses.
Nowhere is that connection clearer than in Master Distiller Freddie Noe. The distillery is named after Freddie’s father, Fred Noe, but Freddie is the 8th generation master distiller currently driving production. Under his leadership, the Fred Noe Distillery produces the kind of small batch releases that wouldn’t normally fit into the mega-producer’s portfolio.
Of course, it’s nothing new for a premium expression to come from a mass-market producer. Pappy Van Winkle comes out of the Buffalo Trace distillery, and Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label comes from the same blenders that give us the budget-friendly Red Label. It raises the question of why Beam Suntory would go to the considerable expense of building a separate distillery just to put out premium expressions?
I think the answer lies in Freddie himself. While it bears his father’s name, this separate distillery was Freddie’s idea. His goal for the distillery is not just to produce prestige brands, but to experiment and educate. The fermenters are smaller, the classrooms host educational events for all levels of staff, and there’s an overall focus on creating bourbon that’s not only prestigious, but different.
As for specifics of this offering, consider it a greatest hits tour of previous Little Book whiskeys. This blend of seven cask strength whiskeys is “one curated from each of the brand’s previous six chapters and a seventh new addition.” The breakdown goes something like this:
- 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 17-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
- 09-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 05-Year-Old Straight Malt Whiskey finished in Applewood Smoked Barrels
- 04-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 04-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
The rise of craft whiskey is changing the landscape of bourbon. While I don’t think craft threatens big brands like Jim Beam, I think their influence is reaching all levels of distilling. There’s a chance that people like Freddie Noe are seeing a wave of change, and taking proactive steps to ride it. If this latest blend is an attempt to approach the expanded style possibilities of current whiskey with the resources of a major producer, I’m excited to see what they come up with.
Tasting Notes: Little Book Chapter 7: In Retrospect
Vital Stats: 59.05% ABV. Mash bill: a blend of previous Little Book components + a new addition (see above). 118.1 Proof. MSRP 149.99 USD
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Appearance: Gold-Tinged Mahogany
Nose: There is a strong whiff of baking spice, with a richness of body that recalls fresh coffee cake. Deeper, there are hints of cigar box wood and stewed peach.
Palate: There is an initial bright, fruity note like melon or fresh peach. As the taste opens up on my tongue, I can pick out more of the sweet vanilla and caramel that comes from the bourbons in the mix, and also rye notes of allspice and clove. The mouthfeel is smooth, but has a rich weight to it. As the finish sets in, I can feel a bready vanilla. It has a decent length, and slowly fades into notes of cut wood and dewey grass.
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