James B. Beam Distilling Co. released the newest expression in its Little Book collection: Chapter 9 – “None for Granted.” According to the bottle Master Distiller Freddie Noe states, “I created Little Book as an honor to my grandfather, Booker and our shared love for creating unique blends to share with the world.”
According to Freddie’s notes, “Chapter 9 takes us back several decades, to an era when whiskey as we know it was just finding its feet. “None for Granted” celebrates these founding flavors: the ones that are still the backbone of American Whiskey today.”
Little Book Chapter 09: None For Granted is made from:
- 8-Yr Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
- 11-Yr Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 7-Yr Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 7-Yr Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 8-Yr Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Whiskey Review: Little Book Chapter 09: None for Granted
ABV: 60.9% (121.8 Poof)
Age: 11 Years
Mash Bill: Not Disclosed
Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Location: Clermont, KY (USA)
The Nose: Caramel and butterscotch rise from the glass with nuances of charred oak and brown sugar. Letting the glass sit for a bit sees the brown sugar become a bit more vibrant but the caramel remains the focal point.
The Taste: It’s not often a lot of the aroma carries over to the the flavor profile but that is the case on the initial sip as butterscotch and caramel take hold of the palate. Additionally there are notes of cherry with subtleties of peaches and plums present on subsequent sips with a touch of bubble gum sweetness. As expected due to the high ABV there is some heat to the pour, but it is manageable especially if you like higher proof bourbon.
The Finish: Aside from some heat on the finish that you feel in your chest there is a wonderful cherry sweetness that is equally visible for 70% of the finish before the heat takes hold. Additionally there is some stone fruits and licorice on the very front end of the finish on a subsequent sip.
Conclusion: Despite having a MSRP of $160 I was able to score the Little Book Chapter 09: None For Less for $139.99 which I grabbed without thinking twice in Massachusetts. The $140 for me is evidently my limit for grabbing a bottle on impulse as I have yet to pull the trigger on Little Book The Infinite at $199.99. We never factor in price when scoring our bourbon, but I have zero problem with the MSRP having had my first pour. There are so many notes and complexities to this bourbon that this review just touches the surface. If you see this at your liquor store, GRAB IT!
Score: 96
Price: $160.00 (750ml)
