Little Book Blended Straight Whiskey Chapter 9 750ML

Little Book Blended Straight Whiskey Chapter 9 750ML is a 750ml, 121.8-proof (60.9% ABV) blend of five distinct Kentucky straight whiskeys, bottled uncut and unfiltered. Created by Freddie Noe — the eighth generation of the Beam family — this release pushes blending boundaries by incorporating unconventional grain bills and extended fermentation techniques rarely seen in mainstream bourbon production.
Quick Facts: ABV: 60.9% (121.8 proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Blend of whiskeys aged 7–11 years  |  Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Production & Heritage
James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, has been producing bourbon since 1795. Little Book is Freddie Noe’s personal blending project, launched to explore the art of combining whiskeys with different ages, mashbills, and production characteristics. Chapter 9 brings together five components: an 11-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, an 8-year-old Kentucky straight rye, an 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon made with a mashbill that incorporates brown rice, and two distinct 7-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons — one of which underwent a five-day fermentation rather than the standard three. All five whiskeys were blended and bottled without cutting or filtering, preserving the full barrel-proof intensity and texture of each component.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Warm vanilla and butterscotch open the nose, followed by sweet caramel that edges toward a lightly scorched, crème brûlée quality. Deeper inhalation reveals charred oak, garam masala, and a savory undertone reminiscent of beef jerky.
Taste: The entry is rich with brown sugar, vanilla bean, and blackstrap molasses, building quickly to a mid-palate of glazed cinnamon buns and toasted oak. At full barrel proof, the spice from the 8-year-old rye component asserts itself through the peak, weaving together crème brûlée sweetness with a peppery bite that keeps the blend from leaning too far into dessert territory.
Finish: Long-lasting and layered, with balanced warmth that lingers well after each sip. Butterscotch, subtle char, and a lingering sweetness carry through to the very end, trailing off with gentle baking spice.
How to Drink Little Book Chapter 9
At 121.8 proof, this whiskey rewards patience — try it neat first to appreciate the full complexity, then add a few drops of water to open the aromatics and soften the heat. A single large ice cube also tames the proof while preserving the layered flavors.
Old Fashioned: The brown sugar and butterscotch richness pairs naturally with a demerara sugar cube and Angostura bitters, standing up without getting lost. Boulevardier: The rye spice and high proof hold their ground against sweet vermouth and Campari, adding toasted oak depth. Whiskey Sour: The molasses-forward sweetness and barrel-proof backbone create a balanced, full-bodied sour that doesn’t thin out when shaken with citrus and ice.
Best For
Gifting a serious whiskey collector who follows annual limited releases
Side-by-side tasting sessions comparing blended straight whiskey against single barrels
Celebrating a milestone with a barrel-proof pour that rewards slow sipping
Adding a high-proof anchor to a home bar focused on Kentucky whiskey
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Little Book Chapter 9 taste like? It leads with rich brown sugar, vanilla bean, and butterscotch before moving into crème brûlée, toasted oak, and baking spice. The high proof delivers substantial warmth, but the blend stays balanced between sweetness and rye-driven spice.
How does Little Book Chapter 9 compare to Knob Creek Single Barrel? Both are produced by James B. Beam Distilling Co. and bottled at barrel-proof strength, but Little Book Chapter 9 is a multi-component blend of five whiskeys with different mashbills and ages, while Knob Creek Single Barrel draws its character from a single bourbon barrel. Chapter 9 offers more layered complexity, whereas Knob Creek Single Barrel delivers a more straightforward, concentrated bourbon profile at a lower price point.
Is Little Book Chapter 9 good for sipping neat? Yes, though its 121.8 proof demands respect — experienced whiskey drinkers will enjoy it neat, while a few drops of water open up additional aromatics and soften the heat for a more approachable sip.
Where is Little Book Chapter 9 made? Little Book Chapter 9 is produced at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky. All five component whiskeys are Kentucky straight whiskeys distilled and aged in the state.
What foods pair well with Little Book Chapter 9? Dark chocolate truffles complement the butterscotch and molasses notes. Smoked brisket mirrors the charred oak and savory undertones. Pecan pie echoes the brown sugar and vanilla. Aged cheddar contrasts the sweetness with sharp, tangy richness. Crème brûlée reinforces the caramelized sugar character found on both the nose and palate.
What sizes does Little Book Chapter 9 come in? Little Book Chapter 9 is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.
Is Little Book Chapter 9 worth the price? Little Book positions as a premium limited-release expression within the Beam portfolio, priced above most standard Kentucky bourbons and ryes. The inclusion of five distinct whiskeys aged 7 to 11 years — bottled uncut and unfiltered — along with unconventional production choices like brown rice in the mashbill and extended fermentation, place it in the upper tier of American blended whiskey.
Why Little Book Chapter 9?
What separates Chapter 9 from other high-proof American whiskeys is the deliberate use of production variables most distillers keep uniform. The brown rice incorporated into the 8-year-old bourbon’s mashbill and the extended five-day fermentation on one of the 7-year-old bourbons are not standard practices at Beam — they were specifically chosen to create components that blend differently than conventional whiskeys. The resulting five-whiskey marriage, anchored by an 11-year-old bourbon and balanced with 8-year-old rye, delivers a barrel-proof experience with more textural range than any single barrel can provide. For collectors who follow Freddie Noe’s ongoing blending experiments, Chapter 9 represents another step in one of the most closely watched annual release series in American whiskey.