Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Jim Beam. 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 towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Let’s see if we can keep this straight: Fred Noe is master distiller at James B. Beam Distilling Co., one of the heavyweights in the whiskey world. His father, and predecessor in the job, was Booker Noe. So far, so good.
Fred’s son, Freddie Noe IV, acquired the nickname “Little Book” back when he used to hang around the distillery as a kid with his dad and granddad. Freddie is presumably being groomed to keep the family lineage going, replacing his father. In the meantime, he’s master distiller of the smaller Fred B. Noe Distillery, where he can experiment and hone his craft.
Freddie started releasing annual Little Book releases in 2017 as a tribute to his grandfather. Chapter 1 was “The Easy,” Chapter 2 was “Noe Simple Task,” Chapter 3 was “The Road Home,” Chapter 4 was “Lessons Honored,” and, last year, Chapter 5 was “The Invitation.”
This year’s Chapter 6, “To The Finish,” might be a hint that the label’s days are numbered. In the meantime, however, it’s another example of the creative blends that have defined Little Book since inception. This one is a mixture of five Beam whiskies:
- A 4-year-old straight malt whiskey finished with cherrywood staves
- A 4-year-old straight malt whiskey finished in applewood smoked barrels
- A 4-year-old straight malt whiskey finished in hickory smoked barrels
- A 4-year-old straight malt whiskey finished with maplewood staves
- A 5-year-old straight bourbon
Little Book Chapter 6 (image via Scott Bernard Nelson/The Whiskey Wash)
Tasting Notes: Little Book Chapter 6: To The Finish
Vital stats: A blend of four malted whiskies and one bourbon; 117.45 proof/58.7% alcohol by volume; MSRP of $124.99 for a 750 ml bottle, but don’t be surprised if you find it selling for considerably more on secondary markets.
Appearance: Dark amber, almost orange. Solid legs on the side of the glass.
Nose: Honeysuckle, cherry, caramelized brown sugar. More fruity than woody, with a hint of cinnamon.
Palate: An earthiness comes through at the start, mossy and reminiscent of wild mushrooms. There’s spice and a viscous mouthfeel. This is a rich-tasting whiskey, almost luxurious. Cinnamon spice and smoked walnuts at the finish.
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