Regardless how it tastes, my Dad worked for Jim Beam for 30 some odd years, and they paid for the vast majority of my childhood life. Plus, when my Dad passed, Jim Beam Inc has always been there for my Mom... and my Dad was just a plant maintenance supervisor at one of their many plants. My cousin worked for them and they helped him start his brewery... great company that cares about people that work for them. That accounts for 1 out of the 4 stars. As for the bourbon... average, but not bad for being mass produced. Way better than the bottom shelf, plastic bottle only stuff. Pales in comparison to Knob Creek (subsidiary), but out shines Basil Hayden (another subsidiary). Mixes better with DeKuyper products (another subsidiary) than other better tasting liqours.