Table Of Contents
The Details
| Rating | 94 2023 Top 50 |
| Style |
Bourbon American Whiskey Whiskey |
| Produced In |
Kentucky United States |
| ABV | 59.05% |
| Availability | Limited |
| Price | $150.00 |
| Reviewed By | |
| Review Updated | 2023-12-19 |
Little Book Chapter 7 Blended Whiskey Review
In 2017, Jim Beam eighth-generation distiller Freddie Noe launched Little Book, a blended whiskey release combining a number of different distillates from across the Beam Suntory portfolio. Since then, the annual releases have included ever-expanding components from bourbon and rye to malt, rice, novel cask finishes, and even 40 year-old Canadian distillate.
Now in its seventh iteration — dubbed “Chapter 7: In Retrospect” — Little Book always surprises on flavor, though with such an incredible variety of potential components, it’s not always a release that pleases everyone. Of course, when it comes to experimental blends, that’s not necessarily the point. Noe told me the blends normally take about eight months to plan and finalize, with some taking as long as 14 due to the extra time associated with special barrel finishes.
Today, we’re looking at Little Book Chapter 7, which combines a staggering seven different components into one 118.1 proof cask strength blend (including at least one component from each of the previous six bottlings):
- 18 Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 17 Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 10 Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
- 9 Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 5 Year-Old Straight Malt Whiskey finished in Applewood Smoked Barrels
- 4 Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 4 Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
It’s worth noting specifics on the blend proportions were not made available for this release.
Does the complex blend pay dividends in the final product, or will there be tension between such a range of liquids and age statements? Let’s find out.
Little Book Chapter 7: Stats and Availability
Little Book Chapter 7: “In Retrospect” is bottled at 118.1 proof, or 59.05% ABV. It’s a limited nationwide release with a suggested retail price of $150.
While Little Book is an allocated, limited annual release, it’s one we generally see going for around suggested retail pricing — or at least within that range.
Despite some rumors surrounding the “In Retrospect” name, Noe has gone on record saying Little Book releases will continue into the future.
Little Book Chapter 7 Review
As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.
Nose
Sweet caramel, fudge, and baking spice are powerful early aromas here. That spice is multifaceted: clove, cardamom, allspice, and cinnamon, all in roughly equal proportion. Immediately, Chapter 7 is inviting on the nose with a nice balance of sweet and savory.
A little more time in the glass brings out a semi-sweet, semi-tart apple note, like a very freshly bitten green apple. (Probably not surprising given the applewood smoke finish on the malt whiskey component.) There’s also a bit of raspberry compote with a touch of fresh citrus (specifically lemon).
Nose again, and despite the composite blend, there’s a thread of classic Beam: woodsmoke with mesquite undertones, with similarities on the nose to recent batches of Booker’s Bourbon.
This is certainly a blended whiskey that, at least on the nose, gains great characteristics from its base components without compromising much at all.
Taste
After the first sip, I did a slight double take on the proof — I was just expecting it to hit hotter on the palate. Instead, the first drink brings creamy peanut butter and toast, with a viscous mouthfeel that furthers those nutty characteristics.
The fruit and spice are actually subdued here, but it’s not as if those flavor categories are entirely absent. The spice especially is well incorporated into the broader sweet, nutty, fatty profile that builds sip after sip. There’s still a berry component, again compote instead of fresh picked, which is carried by the viscosity and lends tartness without turning the whole sip sour.
An overall perception I get is of a peanut butter and raspberry jelly sandwich with honey drizzled on top. (Is it lunchtime yet?)
If anything, I would have welcomed more fruit to push the boundary of flavors here; perhaps a different or additional malt liquid stream could have been the ticket, but my hypothetical complaints don’t last long between sips that are honestly very, very good.
There’s a fragment of BBQ spice here, like the final tang on your favorite finger-licking sauce. A bit of smoke, (again) some mesquite, and burnt brown sugar wash across the midpalate.
Finish
Peanut butter stays through all the way to the end, with a medium-length finish that “hugs” somewhat below its 118 proof. Interestingly, the final lingering notes are brown butter, apple smoke, and green apple as the fattier flavors gradually dissipate.
I’d recommend playing around with a couple drops of water, which brightens up the entire experience to unlock more berry and lemon zest — but doesn’t demolish the lovely, nutty texture on the tongue.
Little Book Chapter 7 Rating
94/100
Recap
Experimental blends are meant to push boundaries; racking up high ratings is a nice but secondary goal. After a few less consistent releases, Chapter 7 reminds me of those early Little Books that conjured unapologetically bold flavors from Freddie Noe’s bespoke blends.
“In Retrospect” may not be the best thing Beam has released in recent memory, but it’s a great reminder of Noe’s ability to balance novelty with quality. It’s a whiskey I expect to surprise many while converting a few skeptics along the way. Enjoy slowly, and don’t be afraid to grab a dropper — there’s plenty of flavor to unpack here.
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