Little Book Chapter 1 "The Easy" is the debut release from Freddie Noe, 8th generation Beam family distiller and grandson of the legendary Booker Noe. Released in 2017, Chapter 1 launched what has become one of the most anticipated annual series in American whiskey. "Little Book" was the childhood nickname Booker gave Freddie, and the series is his first major creative statement — uncut, unfiltered, and unlike anything else from the Beam family.
This is not a bourbon. "The Easy" is a blended straight American whiskey, combining four distinct uncut and unfiltered straight whiskeys: 4-year-old bourbon, 13-year-old corn whiskey aged in used barrels, approximately 6-year-old 100% malt whiskey, and approximately 6-year-old high rye whiskey. No neutral spirit, no added color, no flavoring — every component is straight whiskey. Bottled at 128.2 proof (64.1% ABV). This is bottle #477 of 500 in a limited edition numbered run.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Sweet corn, cornbread, caramel, grain, smoky wood, hint of ginger — grain-forward and youthful
- Palate: Caramel and vanilla lead, toasted nuts, rye spice on the back, corn grain emerging toward the finish — lively and well-integrated
- Finish: Medium to long, complex and approachable — brown sugar butter, malt sweetness, hint of honey
Product Details
| Type | Blended Straight American Whiskey |
|---|---|
| Producer | James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY |
| Blender | Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Beam Family Distiller |
| Release | Chapter 1 — 2017 (Inaugural Release) |
| Components | 4yr bourbon, 13yr corn whiskey, ~6yr malt whiskey, ~6yr high rye whiskey |
| Proof | 128.2 (64.1% ABV) |
| Bottle Number | #477 of 500 (Limited Edition) |
| Filtration | Uncut, unfiltered |
| Size | 750ml |
How to Drink It
- Neat: The grain-forward profile is most interesting undiluted. Let it breathe 5–10 minutes.
- Drop of water: Softens the proof and brings out the malt sweetness and honey notes.
- Old Fashioned: The rye spice and corn character make it a compelling spirit-forward cocktail base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Little Book Chapter 1 a bourbon?
No — "The Easy" is technically a blended straight American whiskey, not a bourbon. It combines four different straight whiskeys (bourbon, corn, malt, and rye) to create a category-bending profile. No neutral spirits, no added color or flavoring. All components are straight whiskeys aged in American oak.
Who is Freddie Noe and why does this matter?
Freddie Noe is the 8th generation Beam family distiller — grandson of Booker Noe, the legendary Beam master distiller who created Booker's Bourbon. Little Book is Freddie's own creative project, separate from the Booker's line, showcasing his approach to blending. "Little Book" was Booker's nickname for Freddie as a child.
Why is Chapter 1 particularly collectible?
As the inaugural release of the series, Chapter 1 is a first edition in every sense. Freddie worked on the recipe for over a year and tried more than 25 different blends before finalizing it. The numbered bottle format (#477/500) makes this a genuinely limited piece. Fred Minnick named it one of the Top Whiskies of 2017.
How does Chapter 1 compare to later Little Book releases?
Each chapter uses a completely different blend — Chapter 1 established the grain-forward, multi-whiskey-type approach, but subsequent chapters have explored different ages, styles, and finishing techniques. Chapter 1 remains the most collectible as the series debut and a numbered limited edition.
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NOTE: Not Eligible for Return
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