(New) Baker’s Single Barrel Vs. (Old) Baker’s Small Batch

I thought I should probably do this comparison before my old bottle of Baker’s is completely gone! I’ve always enjoyed Baker’s from Jim Beam, but I’ve always hated the horrible packaging… The new Baker’s definitely fixes the packaging! Is the new liquid inside better to match?

Old Baker’s) The nose is charred oak, some toffee, some vanilla, and slight anise.
The palate is initially spicy with black pepper, and then some sweetness with brown sugar, vanilla, and a slight orange dreamsicle note. As you swallow there is a leathery bitterness that starts to creep in.
The finish is medium in length with flavors of charred oak, pepper spice, some sweet-corn, and a good Kentucky hug.

New Baker’s) Of course, these being single barrel’s, I’m sure they will vary.
My bottle is 8yrs 3mo, and it is amazing how much it has changed for the better since I first opened it.
The very pleasant nose is immediately a lot fruitier, with sweet-cherries, oranges, and chocolate dominating, along with some leather, vanilla, and oak.
The palate follows suite with intense fruitiness of sweet-cherries and oranges, along with vanilla, brown-sugar, toffee, mild black-pepper spice, and leather.
The finish is medium-long, with pepper spice, charred oak, sweet-corn, and anise.

VERDICT) I am amazed how much more I enjoy the new Single Barrel, and the Fancy Glencairn comes roaring back with a decisive win!

It sounds like the old bottle is going away, and if my bottle is indicative of what to expect with the new offering, I’m not sad about that at all!
If you haven’t picked up the new Baker’s at around retail price ($60), I would jump on it. It has great packaging, and juice inside to match!