Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year Bourbon

Little rough and unrefined. Heat on finish

Nose: Chloroform (or some other sort of sweet smelling solvent), plywood, pencil shavings, vanilla, mango cream, grilled pineapple, orange syrup, honey and a light hint of smoke. Over time the nose is dominated by orange blossom honey and vanilla. Palate: Sweet and creamy arrival with caramel fudge and light corn syrup flavours. The development brings out a little very mild rye spice, vanilla, honey and oak. The texture is good, but not outstanding and it can occasionally seem a little spirity. Finish: Medium. Honey, crème brûlée and a slightly bitter mocha coffee note. Just after the finish seems to have ended there is an aftertaste of sweet oak. A very soft, well balanced and easy to sip bourbon. The sweet and spice characteristics are finely matched throughout with fruity and cereal notes in support. The nose is fragrant and alluring and the finish lasts a good deal longer than expected. There is a vanilla presence in both the nose and palate that borders on being too dominant, and the longer you taste it the more obvious it becomes, but it never gets to the point of being cloying. Overall I'd describe this as "genteel" in profile. It's very much the Jim Beam house profile done just the right way at low proof and it wouldn't be inaccurate to describe this as a more refined Jim Beam White Label. It lacks the verve and punch of Jim Beam Bonded (which is THE value buy from Beam), and it has nothing like the commanding personality of the more expensive whiskies from this distillery. Nevertheless I'm enjoying this highly approachable liquor and it works equally well as a neat sipper, over ice, with a little water and even as a long drink in cola - although in this last form it does become a little too sweet and creamy. I am, however, at a complete loss regarding the official rating here, particularly in light of the official notes, which do not seem to be in agreement. 95 is an absurd score for this whiskey - maybe it was a typo and supposed to be 85? That would be far more believable. "Above Average" : 82/100 (3.25 stars)

Love this for the cost. I don’t care that it is 86 proof. Taste is what is important to me. If you can fine a bottle buy it. You will not be disappointed. Great taste period.

Over rated... the proof is too low and pretty much tastes exactly like JB white label. Forgettable.

Fantastic and all-around solid bourbon. Does everything you expect and does it well.