Sweet. That’s the word that comes to mind when you get a chance to test Baker’s 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This bourbon comes from the famed Jim Beam lineage. It’s named after Baker Beam, the grand nephew of Jim Beam. It is derived from a corn mash and fermented using a special strain of jug yeast that has been in the Beam family for over six decades. Following fermentation, it is distilled and matured in new, American oak casks for at least seven years.
The result is sweet. On the smell you can even catch the sweetness – honey, slightly fruity, vanilla and caramel – almost a syrup. It’s a pleasant, rich aroma. On the taste you’re not surprised. Its a nice blend of vanilla, toffee, nuts and fruits – sweet, slightly chewy. The finish adds a slight zing of spices, but it’s the sweetness that dominates and lingers.
We have to be clear – the sweetness found is Baker’s 7 is a good thing. It is balanced nicely throughout – never overwhelming the spirit at any juncture.
We found Baker’s 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey best experienced neat. If you want to cut the sweetness a bit, add an ice cube or two, or a splash of water. It’s very smooth and rich. It’s a nice bourbon to give to someone who isn’t accustomed to drinking their whiskey without a mixer.
You can get a bottle of Baker’s 7 for about $40-50. It’s well worth it.