little book: the infinite
edition 1

The first time I sat down with this whiskey, it was a head-scratcher. I got an email from Total Wine indicating that there was limited quantity in stock at my local store. When this happens, I usually like to call ahead and ask for a solid number because my home is far enough away that it isn't a casual stroll. On the drive, I kept thinking about the absurdity of it: Yet another limited edition of a limited edition within Beam's sinful glut of brand offerings, this one expected to be an annual release (by the nature of the gimmick) and hefty price tag. It forced me to wonder at what point the flood of Beam brands, lines, and series would become too overwhelming, or if indeed I had already arrived at that juncture --  I had already mentally abandoned certain collectibles underneath the Beam umbrella earlier in the same year this new Little Book offshoot series was releasing.

When I arrived at the Total Wine, I discovered first that the employee who I talked to on the phone kindly set their last bottle aside for me, knowing that I would be making the long trek. The second thing I noticed extinguished many of the aforementioned reservations I had about buying this bottle, and that was the bottle itself. It is stunning. The black and gold color scheme is classy, and the box design is sleek even compared to the iconic Little Book packaging. The notch for the front cap, which eliminates the need for the plexiglass cover typical of Booker's, is an elegant bit of design. I'm sure there are deductions one could make about my psyche for this, but the design of the packaging was the nudge I ultimately needed to make the decision to get into this one.

In the subsequent weeks and months of sitting down with the whiskey and exploring it, it was difficult to come to a conclusion. I knew it was special, but ambiguously so. This was due, partially at least, to an onslaught of popular reviewers having reactions that ranged from "mediocre," to "not great," to "decent but overpriced." That last one is understandable, I think there are many folks out there feeling the brand fatigue, and not only from Beam. I was pulled into the gravity of outside influence with this one for months, which I think is somewhat natural. Sometimes what it takes to craft an authentic opinion is the right setting and headspace. Cut to around Thanksgiving, my best friend and chosen brother came to visit on leave. Amongst several nights of sipping some seriously heavy hitters the likes of Russell's Reserve 15-Year and Wild Turkey Master's Keep Decades, we sat down by the fire with a line of Little Book bottles, each with varying volume remaining, and the Infinite at the head. For me, that was when all the noise melted away. I felt like I finally had the true, authentic experience of this whiskey that was a muddled conclusion up to this point... And it was sensational.

Nose An initial wave of dark chocolate covered raspberries resting on a layer of antique oak. This pour has an extraordinarily complex aroma that you have to spend some time with. A jolt of baking spice gives way to some denser, richer notes -- Golden raisins and overripe plum. Throughout the experience, the bold dark chocolate aroma lingers and weaves through a counterbalancing myriad of robust caramel and molasses sweetness.

Palate From the first sip, this is a colossal palate. The front is spicy -- Cinnamon, nutmeg, and the familiar bite of aged oak. Here on the front, a whisper of Beam nuttiness comes through, but only to remind you that despite the maturity of the palate, this is still Beam whiskey. The mid palate sees the tongue coated with vanilla accented tobacco leaf and intermittent flashes of stone fruit and Luxardo cherry syrup. Just before the finish, there is a fascinating subtle smoky note. Perhaps more dust than smoke.

Finish What a treat. The most noteworthy flavor in the nigh eternal finish is aromatic cigar leaf. Smooth vanilla is complimented by the occasional rush of cinnamon. It drinks about how you would expect for the proof point, but the stamina exceeds expectations handily. This sort of finish tends to guide you into an exploratory experience.

Notes One salient value point I didn't mention in the opening is the blend itself: Distilled by three generations of the Noe family and ranging in age from 7 to 20 years. And then there's the method -- In my understanding, only 70% of this blend was bottled and distributed in Edition 1. The remaining 30% was vatted to be incorporated in future editions, in an effort to create an ever-evolving blend with whispers of what came before it. This method alone is fascinating to me, and then to have such old and storied liquid involved is just icing on the cake.

What is there left to say? This is perhaps the most unexpected precious gemstone I've ever managed to mine in my tenure with whiskey. The attention dedicated toward delivering a sophisticated whiskey is blindingly obvious, from the complex nose all the way to the boundless finish. I am greatly looking forward to subsequent editions in this series.