Just like the limestone filtered water that runs beneath the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, the blood that runs through the Beam family is a special blend. Freddie Noe, eighth generation Beam family member and son of current Beam Master Distiller, Fred Noe has just officially announced the release of his first whiskey, Little Book™ “The Easy.”
“Freddie is much like his Grandfather (Booker.) He doesn’t listen to nobody, me, anybody. It’s his way or the highway and if you don’t like it too bad. Like Jimmy (Russell) said, you can’t force anything on anybody. Freddie, there wasn’t no making him do a damn thing. He’s Booker made over, people don’t believe it but once they get a little taste of him they say, ‘Man he is like your Dad.’ I say I guarantee it.”
~ Fred Noe, Jim Beam 7th Generation Master Distiller
The debut of Little Book marks an exciting step forward for the next generation of Beam family whiskey makers. The new release is named after the childhood nickname given to Freddie by his grandfather, legendary Master Distiller Booker Noe. Little Book is scheduled to be an annual, limited release series that will feature a new and unique blend each year, presented uncut and unfiltered.
“I’m humbled and honored to share Little Book with the world,” said Freddie, who currently serves as the distillery’s fermentation manager. “When I joined the family business five years ago, I told Dad I wanted to learn everything there was to know about making whiskey. Along the way, I discovered I’m particularly fascinated by the endless taste profiles that can be created through blending. I’m excited for whiskey fans to taste the first batch of this annual release, and I look forward to sharing new, one-of-a-kind blends every year. It’s a real honor to carry on my family’s legacy, and I hope I’ve done them proud.”
Freddie Noe, eighth generation Beam family member
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The inaugural batch release of Little Book,“The Easy” is a blended straight whiskey that features four unique components: uncut and unfiltered corn, rye and malt whiskies – representative of the three grains commonly found in a bourbon mashbill – balanced with uncut, unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Freddie worked on creating the final liquid for Little Book for over a year and tried more than 25 different blends of the liquid before he decided that it was just right and worthy of his debut release.
“It’s exciting to watch my son, Freddie, follow in the family footsteps and share his passion for blending with the release of Little Book,” said Fred Noe. “My dad, Booker, and I used to always say that if Freddie ever decided to join the family business, his distinct palate and nose, along with his eagerness to learn, would take him far. Freddie’s coming into his own as part of the next generation of whiskey makers, and I couldn’t be more proud to support him as he launches his first product.”
What Makes Up Little Book The Easy Blend?
Little Book is bottled uncut at its natural proof of 128.2°. The distillery says, “Little Book “The Easy” is meant to be just that – easy to enjoy however you like it best, whether that’s neat, over ice or with a splash of water.” The Little Book was blended and developed with the following characteristics:
- 4-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
- 13-year-old corn whiskey
- About 6-year-old 100% malt whiskey
- About 6-year-old high-rye whiskey
Tasting Notes from the Jim Beam Distillery say that Little Book “The Easy” leads with caramel and oak notes, then moves into flavors of toasted nuts and hints of corn grain. The finish is long and packed with peppery rye, making this liquid approachable and easy to enjoy.
Jim Beam’s Little Book “The Easy” will be available nationwide beginning in October in limited quantities with a Suggested Retail Price of $79.99 for a 750mL bottle.
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Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe Explains – How to Drink Bourbon [Video]
Little Book “The Easy” Whiskey
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