Baker's 7 (2015/2023)
A single-barrel bottling with plenty of oomph (53.5 % ABV), matured for 8 years, straight from Kentucky - the home of bourbon. Imagine if Jim Beam had a favourite son who wasn't constantly in the spotlight like Booker's (e.g. Bookers Small Batch (2019) 01E), but secretly brought home the best scores. Voilà: Baker's 7. By the way, it has even been available with an online traceable barrel code since 2023. Nerd factor present!
The panel
Mean 85.5 · spread 1
Value for money 4/5
- Distillery
- Jim Beam
- Type
- Bourbon
- Country
- USA
- Age
- 8 years
- Strength
- 53.5% ABV
- Character
- mellow
Tasting
Nose
The nose is greeted with a warm rush of caramel, honey and vanilla - sounds classic at first. But then a strawberry note joins in, somewhere between fruit jelly and fresh fruit. A little chocolate liquorice (for the northerners) and - now it's getting wild - peanut flips. Sounds strange? Yes. Does it work? Totally. The whole thing remains thoroughly bourbonesque, i.e. sweet, round and buttery.
Palate
The first sip is like a warm hug from Kentucky: oily, voluminous and caramelly - the famous ‘Werther's Echte’ sends its regards. In the middle section, it goes in the direction of popcorn with a nutty twist - not too sweet, not too spicy. Simply well balanced. And then it comes, the wild note: roasted chickpeas. I don't know who put them in there, but they add a certain umami kick that makes the profile exciting.
Finish
Burnt toast, but the good kind. With a nice dose of oak, mature, round and not at all overpowering. And although Baker's comes in at 53.5% ABV, it drinks under proof - surprisingly mild for its strength.
Verdicts
Marcel
Baker’s 7 2015/2023 is like the charming, down-to-earth buddy among high-proof bourbons – no big theatrics, but plenty of drinking pleasure and a surprisingly playful aroma profile. Perfect for relaxed evenings or as a hidden gem in your dram circle, it’s the right choice that impresses with character rather than volume.
Sascha
The Baker’s 7 demonstrates a remarkable balance between its robust alcohol strength and a pleasant smoothness that highlights the complex interplay of caramel, nut, and umami notes. With its harmonious structure and clean finish, it stands as a solid example of a well-aged Kentucky bourbon offering excellent value for money.
What it is worth
No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.