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Booker’s Bourbon unveils Kathleen’s Batch

Beam Suntory-owned Booker’s Bourbon has unveiled its first bottling of 2018, which honours Kathleen DiBenedetto ­– the woman who helped launch Beam’s Small Batch Bourbon Collection in the 1990s.

Kathleen DiBenedetto with Fred Noe

Kathleen’s Batch is the first release from Booker’s Bourbon this year, and was selected by Fred Noe, Beam’s seventh generation master distiller, DiBenedetto and the Booker’s Bourbon roundtable, which comprises a panel of whiskey experts, writers and enthusiasts.

Bottled at 63.7% abv, Booker’s Kathleen’s Batch has been aged for six years, three months and 14 days.

It is said to have notes of caramel, vanilla, leather and floral honey on the nose, leading to toasted oak, caramel and a strong and sweet finish on the palate.

Non-chill-filtered, the limited-edition expression is available throughout the US at an RRP of US$69.99-US$74.99 per 750ml.

“I’m thrilled to honor Kathleen as someone who has poured her heart and soul into our brands for more than 25 years, especially our super-premium bourbons,” said Noe.

“She is probably too young to be called a pioneer, but that’s exactly what she was back in the ’90s. Kathleen is like the daughter Dad never had, and I know he’d be proud to name a batch of his namesake Booker’s Bourbon in her honour.”

DiBenedetto first joined Jim Beam Brands Co in 1991, and was the brand manager during the launch of the Small Batch Bourbon Collection, including brands such as Knob Creek Bourbon, Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, Baker’s Bourbon and Booker’s Bourbon.

Under Booker Noe’s leadership, she embarked upon an apprenticeship in Clermont, Kentucky, learning every job at the distillery in order to gain a complete understanding of the spirit.

In 2015, DiBenedetto was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Today, she works as senior director of on-premise and luxury marketing for Beam Suntory.

“I’m humbled to have a batch of Booker’s named in my honour and to celebrate the many years that Booker and I worked together,” said DiBenedetto. “He was my mentor and teacher – a challenging one at that – and over time, he became like family to me.

“Booker cared so deeply about his namesake brand, and I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to gather with the Booker’s Roundtable to select this special liquid and share a few of my favorite memories with them.”

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