Little Book Chapter 5 "The Invitation" Blended Straight Whiskey 750ml

Little Book Chapter 5 "The Invitation" is the 2021 release of Freddie Noe's annual limited-edition series, and both a milestone and a welcome. Released as the fifth chapter, it marks five years of the Little Book series and functions — as the name implies — as a literal invitation to any drinker, seasoned or new, to step into the world of unusual American whiskey blends. Rather than reaching to Canada or Scotland for exotic components as previous chapters had done, "The Invitation" draws entirely from within the Beam family archive, and the story it tells is one of range: how much difference age can create within the same American bourbon tradition. The four-component blend spans the widest age spectrum in the series to that point — from a 2-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon distilled to the lowest proof Beam has ever purposefully aged in new oak (entering with a creamy, viscous character unlike standard Beam production) to a 3-year-old malted 100% rye whiskey bringing peppery spice and toasted cereal nuttiness, a 5-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon adding vanilla and corn sweetness as a bridge, and a 15-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon at 117.2 proof providing the structural backbone of mature oak, tannic depth, and oaky potency that pulls the younger components into line. Bottled at 58.4% ABV and 116.8 proof, uncut and unfiltered. Released August 2021. Now a discontinued 2021 back vintage.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Dark copper with warm amber flashes — richly saturated, reflecting the 15-year-old bourbon's oak-driven contribution to the blend.

Nose: Caramel corn, peanut shells, and roasted pecans open with baking spice and cinnamon asserting themselves quickly. Older oak, orange citrus, brown sugar, and nutmeg develop underneath. The classic Beam nuttiness is very present.

Palate: Vanilla bean and deeply caramelized sugars lead with considerable old oak and orange peel building alongside dark plum and rye spice from the malted rye component. The 2-year bourbon's viscosity gives the palate an unexpectedly creamy texture at 116.8 proof. Full-bodied and warming with baking spice, cinnamon, ginger, and chocolate woven through.

Finish: Long, warm, and layered — oak, clove, toasted grain, leather, and baking spice linger with sweet caramel underneath. The 15-year component holds the close with an oaky, tannic warmth.

FAQ

What makes the 2-year-old bourbon component unusual?
The 2-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon in this blend was distilled to the lowest proof Beam has ever purposefully placed into new oak barrels — a deliberate production choice that creates an exceptionally creamy and viscous spirit with a sweeter grain character than Beam's standard bourbon entry proof. It represents an experimental corner of the Beam distillery that doesn't appear in any standard commercial release.

Why is it called "The Invitation"?
Released as the fifth chapter and fifth anniversary of the Little Book series, "The Invitation" functions as Freddie Noe's welcome to both longtime whiskey enthusiasts and complete newcomers — an open door into the world of complex, boundary-crossing American whiskey blending. The blend's wide age range (2 to 15 years) was designed to show how dramatically age changes a spirit made from the same tradition, and the name reflects Freddie's intention that there be no prerequisite knowledge required to enjoy it.

How does Chapter 5 fit into the Little Book collection?
We carry the most complete Little Book collection available — Chapters 1 (2017), 2 (2018), 3 (2019), 4 (2020), 5 (2021), and 8 (2024). Each chapter is discontinued and will never be repeated. Chapter 5 is the only all-American chapter in the set that spans the full spectrum from barely-legal straight bourbon to 15-year maturation, making it the series' most age-diverse blend.

Where can I buy Little Book Chapter 5 The Invitation online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.