Freddie Noe, eighth generation Beam distiller and creator of Little Book® Whiskey, is proud to announce the fifth installment in his acclaimed annual, limited-release series of blends – Little Book Chapter 5: “The Invitation.”
The name of this year’s chapter is both a prompt to fans of American whiskey to expand their palettes, as well as a reflection on Noe’s experience blending and innovating chapters of Little Book over the last five years. With a wide range of whiskey styles and ages in this year’s release – including two highly unique, younger whiskies anchoring the blend – “The Invitation” showcases Noe’s passion and deftness for elevating facets of each component within the final product, delivering complex, balanced and high-quality blended whiskies.
“Chapter 5 is my way of inviting whiskey drinkers into different aspects of the category, regardless of whether they’ve been along for the ride since Chapter 1 or are just tasting Little Book for the first time,” Freddie Noe said. “‘The Invitation’ offers a chance for any curious drinker to expand their palette – whether they’re a seasoned connoisseur or a newcomer to the category – due to the diverse liquids contained in the blend. Harmonizing such varied whiskies and ages was a delicate dance, but the effort was certainly worth it when you taste the final product.”
Little Book Chapter 5 is a blend of four different straight whiskies, three of which were distilled under Freddie’s watchful eye. Each was expertly blended to bring something unique to the final whiskey, making Little Book Chapter 5 greater than the sum of its individual parts:
A 2-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon distilled and barreled at a lower proof than normal creates a complexity not often experienced in a young whiskey. This prominent component delivers a sweet grain flavor and creamy mouthfeel to the fifth installment of the Little Book series that serves to balance the stronger oak flavors from older whiskies in the blend.
A 3-Year-Old Malted 100% Rye never before released from the Beam distillery shows the true depth and potential of American Whiskey. It brings smoky, peppery notes to the final blend not traditionally common in rye whiskey.
A 5-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon brings in hints of vanilla and corn sweetness on the nose and a smooth finish, balancing the flavors from the younger whiskies and the extra aged bourbon.
Finally, a 15-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon delivers heavier barrel flavors to the blend, adding a deep complexity and characteristics that can only be achieved through extended time spent aging in a Kentucky rackhouse.
