Beam Suntory has released Booker’s Batch 2026-02 “Milkshake Batch,” the second installment in the brand’s 2026 collection of uncut, unfiltered small-batch bourbon. The expression, bottled at 124.4 proof and aged 7 years, 6 months, and 12 days, carries a suggested retail price of $99.99.
The batch draws its name from a beloved family tradition started by the late Booker Noe, the legendary sixth-generation master distiller of Jim Beam. Noe was known for mixing bourbon into homemade chocolate malted milkshakes, a ritual that became a centerpiece of family gatherings.
Fred Noe, Beam Family 7th Generation Master Distiller, shared the personal story behind the name. “When I was young, Dad and I spent many an afternoon out fishing at a nearby lake,” Noe said. “We’d pull up to an ice cream dip and order ourselves two chocolate malted milkshakes – a reward for our hard work.”
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“One day, Dad tried out mixing some Jim Beam into his own shake, and a tradition was born,” Noe added. “By the time Freddie came along, Dad figured out how to make them from scratch.”
According to the brand, the “Milkshake Batch” is composed of barrels drawn from four production dates stored across four different warehouses. The breakdown includes 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. All four are seven-story rickhouses.
Noe described the liquid in his master distiller’s notes. “The aroma is rich and thick with vanilla and oak that is inviting you to take a taste,” he said. “I enjoyed the full, flavorful finish that lingers and makes you want another sip.”
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READ THE STORYOfficial tasting notes from the brand describe aromas of vanilla and spices on the nose, with a palate that is “big and bold, and unmistakably Booker’s Bourbon,” followed by a “long and delightful” finish.
Booker’s Bourbon, part of the Suntory Global Spirits portfolio, is one of the most recognized names in American small-batch whiskey. Each annual collection typically comprises four limited batches, each named after a personal story or memory from the Noe family. The brand remains a flagship within the company’s premium bourbon lineup.
“I am going to make a milkshake tonight and add some of this batch of Booker’s,” Noe said. “I know it will be great and bring back memories of my dad enjoying his favorite treats.”
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