Booker’s Announces First Batch Of 2025 — Barry’s Batch

Booker’s Bourbon is kicking off 2025 with Barry’s Batch, the first of four releases this year. Named in honor of Barry Berish, a former Chairman and CEO of Beam who passed away last year, this batch is more significant to the Beam family than some other batches.

Since some bourbon fans have been frustrated with the rising price of Booker’s, and lack of consistency — the brand has become more available. That doesn’t mean everyone is on board—many drinkers feel the price no longer matches the value. I understand that argument, but personally, I’ve always been a fan of Booker’s. I enjoy their profile, I trust their consistency, and if I see a new batch, I’m buying it. Every time.

The suggested retail price for Barry’s Batch is still listed at $99.99, but in reality, most bottles land somewhere between $115 and $130 in stores. I rarely, if ever, see one at MSRP. That doesn’t change my decision, though—Booker’s is a buy for me even at the higher end of that range. I know some people like to try before committing or wait on reviews to see if a batch is worth it. I get that. But for me, I don’t need convincing. If I find it for $99, fantastic. If it’s $130, I’m still in.

What keeps me coming back is the consistency. Even if not every batch is a home run, when a Booker’s release hits, it really hits. I’ll be grabbing Barry’s Batch the moment I see it. Whether it’s worth it for you? That depends on how much you trust the brand—or how much you’re willing to gamble on finding your perfect batch. This might be one that most people try before they buy.