Little Book Chapter 9 “None for Granted” Review

Little Book Chapter 9
“None for Granted”
121.8 Proof
SRP: $159.99
Review

Please enjoy our Little Book Chapter 9 “None for Granted” Review!

Founding Flavors

According to Freddie Noe, “Chapter 9 takes us back several decades, to an era when whiskey as we know it was just finding its feet. As possibilities were explored and foundations were laid, a certain profile began to emerge—one built on brown sweets, the comforting warmth of vanilla, creamy caramel, and big oak.” “None for Granted” celebrates these founding flavors: the ones that are still the backbone of American whiskey today.”

The Details

Like all of the Little Book whiskeys, Chapter 9 “None for Granted”, is blend of a number of different whiskeys. They include:

• 11-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 7-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 7-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

According to the Robb Report, the 8-year-old bourbon was made with brown rice and was previously used at four years old in Little Book Chapter 4. One of the 7-year-old bourbons was fermented for five days instead of the usual three and distilled to a lower proof point, which is said to enhance fruit notes on the palate. The other was finished in a toasted barrel.

Tasting Notes – Little Book Chapter 9 “None for Granted” Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻 Nose: Moderately sweet; rich caramel, vanilla, sweet cherries, jam; dried apricots later on; hot cinnamon increasing after a couple of sips; slight spearmint in the back; alcohol vapor noticeable but expected for the proof
👉🏻 Taste: Hot cinnamon, caramel syrup, tart orange citrus, sweet cherries, mild oak
👉🏻 Finish: Increasing spice, both hot cinnamon and white pepper; sweet cherries; increasingly dry; mild dry oak and char later on; long with deep warmth

The nose has two distinct layers. Up first, is rich caramel and vanilla, with sweet cherries and a touch of tangy jam. Very mild hot cinnamon is in the background. With time, the cinnamon becomes increasingly noticeable, the cherries shift toward dried apricot, a touch of spearmint emerges, and the caramel turns darker. The 121.8 proof makes itself known — but then again, this whiskey is 121.8 proof!

On the palate, the proof and hot cinnamon make an immediate impression, giving this bourbon a pronounced, warming spice right from the start. At the same time, there’s a rich caramel syrup sweetness, joined by a bit of tart orange citrus and a hint of sweet dark cherries. Mild oak lingers in the background.

The spice in the finish develops a white pepper edge, while some hot cinnamon remains. The finish grows increasingly dry, with dry oak, mild smoky barrel char, lingering spice, and deep warmth. Surprisingly, hints of sweet cherries remain, as well.

Conclusion

Little Book Chapter 9 “None for Granted” is an excellent whiskey. Layers of flavor unfold with each sip — rich confectionary notes and sweet cherries and jam give way to hot cinnamon spice and the warming presence of its 121.8 proof. The finish brings dry oak, lingering spice, cherries, and deep warmth. There’s a lot going on here, but the flavors work together seamlessly. If you enjoy a whiskey with depth, spice, fruit up front, and a satisfying proof-driven intensity, you’ll want to give this one a try. In fact, it’s my favorite of the Little Book series in recent memory. Have you tried Little Book Chapter 9? What did you think? Cheers! 🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Little Book Chapter 9 “None for Granted” Review! Next, read about last year’s limited release in our Little Book The Infinite Edition 1 Review or the 2026 release in our Little Book Chapter 10: All The Wiser Review! Or, read more about the distillery in our James B. Beam Distilling Tour Review!

This sample was graciously provided by the James B. Beam Distillery for my review. I appreciate it!

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!