Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

 

Established in 1795 by Johannes Beam (a german immigrant) the Jim Beam name didn’t come into existence until 1935 when James Beam purchased the Murphy Barber distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. He planned to resuurect the Old Tub brand along with releasing a new brand, Jim Beam.

In 1987 they also bought National Distillers giving them ownership of the Old Crow and Old Grandad bourbon brands.

In 2014 Suntory bought the Beam brand creating Beam Suntory which is one of the largest spirit producers in the world today. White label is apparently the no.1 selling bourbon in the world.

What is Bourbon – bourbon is made from a mash bill that must be at least 51% corn, distilled to no more than 80% abv or 160 proof and casked at no more than 62.5% abv/125 proof in a new charred oak cask.

The term Straight Bourbon is legally defined by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Bureau

Meaning: A whiskey stored in a charred new oak cask for at least 2 years and to which no colouring, flavouring or blending materials have been added other than water.

Bourbon must contain an age statement for the youngest bourbon in the bottle unless it is classified as Straight or Bottled in Bond. If you see these terms without an age statement you know the whiskey is aged at least 4 years

The mashbill for Jim Beam is: 77% corn, 13 % rye, 10% malted barley

Watch my full Youtube review below.

Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon $13

Nose: Youthful alcohol, floral and perfumey, corn, peanut brittle and caramel

Palate: Thin and watery – caramel, vanilla, light oakiness, a bit of rye spice

Finish: Thankfully short – caramel and vanilla

Score: 3 out of 10

Overall: Very basic and one dimensional. This is indeed pretty bottom of the shelf fare and not one I'd recommend - Whiskey Bore