©Lil’ Lee Photography
Owner → Beam Suntory ◊ Chicago, Illinois
Distillery → Jim Beam American Stillhouse ◊ Clermont, Kentucky
80 Proof ⇔ Aged 4 years
$17.99/ 750 mL
Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of bourbon in 1795, laying the foundation for an enduring family business that lasted through even the hardships of Prohibition—which led the family to try growing citrus, coal mining and even running a lime quarry. After repeal in 1933, however, the Beam family quickly returned to producing bourbon. In fact, at aged 70, James Beauregard Beam, or “Jim”—the namesake behind Jim Beam® bourbon—personally rebuilt the family’s distillery, by hand, in just 120 days.
After seven generations and 30 family members of master distillers, the Jim Beam family tradition continues on today. In 2005, Frederick Booker Noe III, the great-grandson of Jim Beam, filled the 10 millionth barrel of Jim Beam, keeping the tradition of Jacob Beam alive for the next generation of bourbon drinkers.
*Research Notes*
- The “7 generation” claim checks out–pretty impressive!
- The Heaven Hill distillery has connections with the Beam family–all of their master distillers were/are members of the family. Their original master distiller was Joseph Beam–Jim’s first cousin.
- Other bourbon brands owned by Beam Suntory include– Booker’s, Basil Haden’s, Knob Creek, Baker’s, and Maker’s Mark. They aren’t all distilled at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, however.
- Jim Beam also owns and distills our #8 seed Old Crow and our #3 seed Old Grand-Dad.
- Jim Beam offers quite a few different flavor choices, as well–maple, apple, vanilla, honey, black cherry, cinnamon–and even a white whiskey.
*Tasting Notes*
via Master of Malt
- Nose: Quite sweet with gentle notes of vanilla and cut hay, a touch of fresh corn fields and a little cereal sweetness, like the bluegrass fields of Kentucky.
- Palate: Good body with notes of toasty oak and all the requisite notes of vanilla and crème anglaise, a little spice and pepper with an acetone note.
- Finish: Toasty oak and resin with a some sweetness.
©Lil’ Lee Photography