Bourbon aficionados, this is your chance to bid on Booker's Little Book...2023. Chapter 7: In Retrospect.

"In Retrospect" is a blend of seven cask strength American whiskeys - one from each of the brand's previous six released chapters and a seventh new addition. According to the company's press release, "The release is a reflection on [Freddie] Noe's past creations since the inception of his blended whiskey series and a nod towards what's ahead as he continues to explore new horizons of American Whiskey in his newly minted role of Master Distiller, Fred B. Noe Distillery."

With a blend of this magnitude, it's important to not make it muddled and allow as many of its components to stand out on their own, but also play nice with each other. And that is the truest takeaway from "In Retrospect," Noe used the whiskey's components to not only shine individually, but to build off one another. These layers of fruit found on the nose and palate likely have to do with the malt and rye components, and the rye is also harnessed for its spice during the whiskey's finish. Likewise, the bourbon components add layers of caramel sweetness throughout and its aged bourbon components are most prominent at the tail end of the sip. Noe was also able to dial back the overall intensity of the sip and allow the flavors to be distinguished from each other despite its 118 proof.

There aren't many blenders that can pull this off with the notable exceptions of Four Roses and Barrell Craft Spirits, which finds "In Retrospect" among small and respectable company.