I’m on record as saying that Jim Beam is one of the most underrated bourbons on the market. It’s not just a quality product, it’s also dirt cheap, and even its higher-end products, like Distillers Series, are crazy inexpensive.
As the label notes, Jim Beam’s new Black Label is “double aged” — double the age of Jim Beam White Label, that is — spending eight years in barrel instead of four.
The result is an intense and surprisingly hot bourbon (though just 86 proof), and after a caramel burst on the nose, it’s hefty with alcohol. Add some water and things open up nicely, showing big wood notes, orange, and a spicy bits of incense. Similar to Beam’s house style, on the whole, but just more of it. Worth a try.
B+ / $20 / jimbeam.com
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Oh yeah, this looks good! When the weather turns cooler (right now it’s tequila and rum) this’ll be my first bourbon of the season! If it’s really good, I’ll forgive JB for hiring Kid Rock as their Maytag repairman (what’s the term I’m looking for? Well, you know what I mean) I probably shouldn’t have a 6th glass of Illegal Mescal.
Definitely agree that Jim Beam produces some of the best value bourbons on the market. From standard Beam to Distiller’s Series to the small batch bourbons, all are tasty and fairly priced.
I tried Beam back in the very early days of my drinking career. Didn’t like it. But offerings like these make me want to give it another shot.
Just tried it (half a bottle before typing here) and, I must say, the ‘drinkhacker’ review of it is perfect. ‘Similar to Beam’s house style…just more of it.’ I don’t know how many other reviews of this product there are in cybernet world, but that line from the review above is all you need. It’s like if Cap’n Crunch came out with a slightly crunchier version of itself. (Nevermind. I wouldn’t have thought of that without your, still better, line.)
cange – aw, thanks for the kind notes. That’s why we do it, for the readers!
I’ve been a long time Beam drinker and Black has always been my favorite. I’m drinking some of it right now as I write this, because I wanted to find a review of this new double aged bottle. Same stuff, new name, but the reason it’s always been a fav is because of the smoothness, flavor, and the heat. You know you’re drinking something hard when you drink this, but it’s enjoyable unlike alot of rock gut swill out there. Alot of folks say “JD” and I shrug with a smile as I sip my Beam. I guess it’s all personal preference. You can pay top dollar for small batch bourbon or you can pay a fair price for a quality bourbon when you buy a bottle of Beam. They may not be the Nike of whiskey, but they’re more like the New Balance. A great (often better) product AND at half the cost of the fancy stuff. There’s a reason Beam has been around all these years and has grown as popular as it has. So long as the Beam distilleries continue to bring us high quality bourbons at a great value, they’ll be here for another hundred years.
Having some now (from a family four pack of minis: Regular beam, double aged, red stag, and the rye. This is my first). Totally agree on the orange notes, very tasty. Not enjoying the aftertaste however. A sort of astringent feeling. Anyway I’m going to try the distillers series next and see how that goes.
Jim Beam Black is one of bourbon’s best kept secrets. For the money, you will not find a better bourbon. I put it on par with more expensive small batch whiskeys like knob creek and makers mark. Much better than regular white label, which I admittedly don’t care for. At ~20 a bottle, it’s an awesome value. Is it the best bourbon in existence? No. But it’s pretty damn good and very reasonably priced for what you get. Highly recommended, this is my go-to selection these days. Check it out