Little Book Chapter 2 "Noe Simple Task" Blended Whiskey 750ml

Little Book Chapter 2 "Noe Simple Task" is the 2018 release of Freddie Noe's annual limited-edition series, and the chapter that set the tone for everything ambitious that would follow. Where the inaugural Chapter 1 stayed within the boundaries of American grain whiskey, Chapter 2 crossed a border — literally. Inspired by a visit to Beam's Canadian distilleries, Freddie became fascinated by the fruity and floral notes Canadian whiskies achieve through their distinct aging and production styles, so different from Kentucky's traditions. He set out to weave those characteristics into a blend with American rye at its core, and what followed was twice as much work as Chapter 1 — hence the name "Noe Simple Task." The final blend brings together three uncut and unfiltered components: an 8-year-old Kentucky straight rye whiskey bottled at 119.8 proof, a 13-year-old Canadian rye whiskey aged in re-charred barrels at 111.9 proof, and a 40-year-old Canadian whisky made from 100% corn, aged in once-used bourbon barrels, at 137.8 proof. No neutral grain spirit, no added color, no flavoring — a deliberate statement in a category that permits all three. The 40-year Canadian component is one of the oldest whiskies ever incorporated into a mass-market American whiskey blend and is what Freddie credited with finally "achieving exactly what he wanted — a truly balanced and refined whiskey with a nice, lingering finish that's full of flavor." Bottled at 59.4% ABV and 118.8 proof, uncut and unfiltered. Released August 2018. Now a discontinued 2018 back vintage and one of the most cross-border chapters in the entire Little Book collection.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Warm amber with golden highlights — lighter than bourbon-centric chapters, reflecting the Canadian whisky character in the blend.

Nose: A delicate bouquet of apples, summer fruits, and herbal floral notes — the Canadian components make themselves known immediately. Caramel and soft spice build underneath with an underlying warmth from the high proof. A distinctly different opening than any American whiskey from the Beam family.

Palate: Unexpectedly light and approachable for its proof — honey, butterscotch, and sweet fruit lead before rye spice kicks in on the mid-palate. The 40-year Canadian corn whisky brings a mellow, rounded sweetness and the 13-year Canadian rye adds floral complexity. Rolling and layered rather than assertive, with the Kentucky rye providing structural backbone.

Finish: A crack of spice transitions quickly to honey and butterscotch, then dries gradually with a pleasant lingering aftertaste. The 40-year Canadian component delivers the long, balanced, and refined close Freddie credited as the final piece of the puzzle.

FAQ

Why is Chapter 2 called "Noe Simple Task"?
The name is a play on "no simple task" — a nod to Freddie Noe's surname and the difficulty of the blending process for this release. Chapter 2 took twice as long to finalize as Chapter 1, because blending American straight rye with Canadian whiskies across very different production traditions required extensive experimentation to achieve the balance Freddie was after. The 40-year Canadian component was the key that finally unlocked the blend.

What makes the 40-year-old Canadian whisky component so unusual?
A 40-year-old whisky of any kind is extraordinarily rare. The component in this blend is a 100% corn Canadian whisky aged in once-used bourbon barrels — a style entirely distinct from Kentucky bourbon production — that contributes the fruity and floral characteristics Freddie encountered on a visit to Beam's Canadian distilleries. It is one of the oldest whiskies ever incorporated into a commercially released American whiskey blend.

How does Chapter 2 fit into the Little Book collection?
Chapter 2 is the series' first international chapter and the one that established Little Book as genuinely boundary-crossing rather than just premium bourbon. We also carry Chapters 1 (2017), 3 (2019), 4 (2020), and 8 (2024) — together they represent five of the eight chapters Freddie has written, each telling a completely different story. All are discontinued and none will be repeated.

Where can I buy Little Book Chapter 2 Noe Simple Task online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.