BeerNinjaEsq
Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon 108 Proof
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
September 15, 2020 (edited August 11, 2023)
So, I heard about this bottle months ago and I finally found it. Not a lot of information on this out there. Why doesn't the Jim Beam website list this next to the Jim Beam Single Barrel 95 proof? Why is the 95 proof, chill filtered version more expensive? How is this different than Baker's, which is nearly the same proof and also single barrel, but way more expensive? I have a lot of questions, but I'm glad I got to try it.
So, flavor: It's a recognizable but cleaner Jim Beam profile. Reminds me of Knob Creek single barrel, and you might feel like this is a KCSB just proofed down to 108.
The reason I describe it as cleaner is because there's a lot less peanut, and a lot less heat and dark caramelized sugar qualities than what you usually find in KCSB, even accounting for proof variance. Overall, it tastes less dry/dusty. Almost like it really was filtered, despite the statement on the label to the contrary. It's a pleasant, neat sipper, with some creaminess that allows it to drink smoother than its proof.
So, is it worth it? Unfortunately, I paid $38 for this in NJ. At that price, it's just fine, not much different in value than KCSB at $10 more and 12 proof more. On the other hand, the product is being sold for $24 in Kentucky. At that price it would have been a steal, no question!
38.0
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@ContemplativeFox The only thing I'll say is, considering this is the only bottle I've ever had of this, who knows what the consistency across the various barrels used is
@BeerNinjaEsq I like Blanton's pretty well, so maybe I'll like this better than I was expecting :)
@BeerNinjaEsq I stopped at a couple liquor stores in SC in June and saw new 11Y and 12Y store picks. Wish I would've grabbed one.
@Zachary-Robbins gotcha. I've still come across a few this year in NJ from 12-15 year
@BeerNinjaEsq Durham, NC. Saw 14 and 15 year old picks regularly until 2020.
@Zachary-Robbins that's too bad. What's your area?
@BeerNinjaEsq Unfortunately I haven't seen a Knob Creek store pick this year in my area when they were pretty common in previous years. I suspect they may be limiting those 14-15 year old picks.
@Zachary-Robbins Agreed. At least while the Knob Creek single barrel store pick program still exists, the store picks at $50 are definitely a better value if you like full flavored bourbon (but that's not fair exactly, because they might be the best value in Bourbon). It's been a long time since I bought a non-store pick, 9-year, KCSB, so I'm not positive how this would compare it to a baseline not KCSB
@ContemplativeFox agreed. it's just fine. probably good for people who like things like Blanton's. It's a better value than Blanton's, at least
"Cleaner" is unfortunately not a bourbon description that I'm looking for. I'll try it if I find it cheap though :)
This mirrors everything I've thought about it so far. It's clean, much less grain and peanut compared to black label. I loved the neck pour but it's mellowed out a lot and less interesting a couple months later. At $40 it's an ok buy, the huge price variance is so weird. I'd rather pay $10 more and get the Knob Creek SiB.