Booker's Rye Limited Edition

The first — and only — rye whiskey Booker's ever produced. Made from some of the last barrels Booker Noe personally laid down. Selected by his son Fred Noe. Uncut. Unfiltered.

Booker Noe created Booker's Bourbon in 1988 as his personal answer to what the perfect whiskey should be: straight from the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, at whatever proof it naturally reached. He laid down barrels of rye before his passing in 2004 — and those barrels became the Booker's Rye Limited Edition, selected by Fred Noe to ensure it met the standard his father envisioned.

Booker's Rye is a genuinely rare piece of whiskey history: the first rye whiskey the brand ever produced, made from rye barrels that Booker himself put into aging — and, by definition, a release that can never be repeated. There are no more Booker Noe-laid rye barrels. This is what exists. It arrives uncut and unfiltered in a beautifully crafted wooden box, presented with the same no-compromise philosophy that defined everything Booker built.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep, rich amber with exceptional viscosity from the unfiltered bottling.
• Aroma: Complex with bold rye spice, dark fruit, toasted oak, and a warm vanilla undertone.
• Palate: Intense and well-balanced — pronounced wood and oak notes from extended aging, with rye spice building through the mid-palate. Big and bold without being overwhelming.
• Finish: Long and smooth — a warming spice fade that rewards sipping neat or on a single large ice cube.

Specs

• Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, Kentucky
• Style: Straight Rye Whiskey, Unfiltered
• Selected by: Fred Noe
• Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
• Presentation: Wooden gift box
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Booker's collection or browse all rye whiskey at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is this a one-time release? The rye barrels in Booker's Rye were laid down by Booker Noe before his death in 2004. Once those barrels are bottled, they cannot be replaced — there are no more Booker Noe-laid rye barrels in existence. This is genuinely the only Booker's Rye that will ever exist.
• Who was Booker Noe? Fred Booker Noe II was the grandson of Jim Beam and Master Distiller at James B. Beam from 1965 to 1992. He created Booker's Bourbon in 1988 as the first commercially available barrel-proof, unfiltered bourbon. He is one of the founding figures of the modern premium bourbon movement.
• What makes unfiltered rye different? Most commercial rye whiskey undergoes chill filtration to remove compounds that cause cloudiness. Booker Noe rejected filtration for the same reason he rejected it in his bourbon — those compounds contribute to mouthfeel and flavor. Unfiltered Booker's Rye is richer and more viscous than filtered alternatives.
• Is the wooden box included? Yes — the Booker's Rye comes in a beautifully crafted wooden box that reflects its commemorative and collectible status.