Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon (95 Proof)

I'm almost finished with my bottle and ready to give a review. I've been oscillating between a 3.5 and 4 rating for this depending on the day, and my opinion is sometimes colored by the $39.95 price for a Jim Beam Single Barrel when the other Jim Beam variations are all under $30 in NC. But, the closest comparison I can give in terms of price and distillery is Knob Creek Small Batch, another Jim Beam product I also recently bought and is available for $36.95. Between the two, the Jim Beam Single Barrel is a much better bourbon. I wouldn't recommend the Knob Creek Small Batch if you could only choose one. While Knob Creek has overwhelming alcohol and oak flavor, Jim Beam is less harsh with a very nutty taste. The spice/harshness difference has nothing to do with the rye, since they both have the same percentage of 13%. It's also tough to chalk it up to the minimal difference in proof, since Jim Beam is 95 and Knob Creek is 100. This Jim Beam bottle is sweet and nutty on the nose and taste. I kept thinking of desserts with caramel and lots of nuts, and once I got peanut brittle in my mind I couldn't think of a better comparison. It also reminds me of generic chocolate nut samplers you buy at Valentine's Day. This is a pleasant flavor that gets old after a couple of pours, but I like to switch up whiskeys no matter how much I like the taste. I've enjoyed this bourbon and I'm anxious to try some of the higher priced Jim Beam lines like Knob Creek Single Barrel and Baker's in the future.

Jim Beam elevated to a neat sipper.

0-1.5: Disgusting. Worth only mixing or meeting the drain. 2: Bad. Wouldn’t feel bad mixing 2.5: Sub-par. OK, but bland or somewhat flawed. 3: Good. Decent stuff, but not a top re-buy 3.5: Very good. I’d love to keep a bottle around 4: Excellent. A go to for me that is worthy of celebrating - will never get old 4.5: Incredible 5:Perfect and an all time favorite

Spicy. Sweet and caramel very good definitely a great pour