Illinois Ag Connection - 'The Big Man of Jim Beam' Recounts Noe's Life and Legacy

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'The Big Man of Jim Beam' Recounts Noe's Life and Legacy
Illinois Ag Connection - 09/29/2016

Booker Noe, sixth generation Beam Master Distiller and Jim Beam's grandson, has been described in many ways: Legendary bourbon distiller. Larger-than-life innovator. Raconteur. American Original.

In the newly released and eagerly awaited biography "The Big Man of Jim Beam" (Wiley, September 2016), Noe comes to life as all of these characters -- and more. The book provides bourbon enthusiasts a clear-eyed look at one of the industry's most influential figures as the celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month draws to a close.

"This book captures the spirit and essence of my dad in every sense," says Fred Noe, Seventh Generation Beam Master Distiller. "It's honest and forthright, just like his whiskey. If you're a bourbon fan, or just a fan of bold characters and trailblazers, then this is the book for you."

Written by award-winning author Jim Kokoris, a close friend of Booker Noe and the Beam family, the book chronicles Booker's life from his boyhood in small town Kentucky through to his rise to bourbon prominence. An illustrative account of his 40-year reign as master distiller of the world's number one bourbon Jim Beam Bourbon, "The Big Man of Jim Beam" carefully reconstructs Booker's groundbreaking creation of The Small Batch Bourbon Collection, including Booker's Bourbon, Knob Creek Bourbon, Basil Hayden's Bourbon and Baker's Bourbon, which changed the bourbon industry. In addition, the history of his family's seven generations of distilling is also recounted.

Offering never-before told stories, historical footnotes, and cocktail and cooking recipes, this book is an entertaining -- yet accurate -- account of Noe's colorful life.

"Noe's uninhibited character is revealed with poise, honesty and precision throughout the book. Noe would expect his biography to be as uncut and unfiltered as his favorite whiskey, Booker's Bourbon. Kokoris delivers," said F. Paul Pacult, author of American Still Life: The Jim Beam Story and the Making of the World's #1 Bourbon and editor of F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal.

As the world's third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher's, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

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