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Upgraded in both age statement and reasonable proof, Jim Beam Black Label has a new label to match the reinvigorated specs as of 2024. Bourbon stocks have been under pressure for around a decade, but exploding producer capacity has finally caught up just a demand begins to lag. As always, the brutality of supply and demand can have some upsides, and this is bottle is one. Prior to 2015 Black Label actually had an eight year age statement. Perhaps we'll see it again if trends continue.
From a design perspective, this bottle joins Jim Beam Double Oaked, Devil's Cut, Special Releases, and Single Barrel at the premium end of the Jim Beam range, billed as an affordable step up from a litter of flavored versions of the iconic white label.
🛒Sourced: $27.99 - Total Wine, GA - 750ml, also commonly available in 1.75L in the low $40s. I actually grabbed a gift set which included two lovely little rocks glasses for $3 extra. Black Label is about $10 more expensive than the flagship Jim beam for which we net a proof upgrade and three extra years. Our question to answer: Is it worth it?
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| This Jim Beam Black Label Set is right at the price sweet spot |
🧪Proof: 90 proof, 45% ABV - A bump up from 86. Ninety proof is my mental minimum for "good" bourbon, though some bottles do fine at the legal minimum. At first brush, 4 proof points really seems like it shouldn't make that much of a difference, but that is a 10% change in dilution from the barrel.
🎨Color: R4 - A light generically whiskey-colored-whiskey, minimally leggy. I do like the Jim Beam bottle shape as they fit together quite nicely in a cabinet owing to their rectangular shape.
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| The Previous Bottle Design - Discontinued in 2024 |
🥔Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley - The same as Booker's, Baker's, Knob Creek, Old Crow, Old Taylor, and Wild Turkey. 135 proof for distillation and 125 proof for barreling - Jim Beam takes its various brands off the stills at different proofs, so all of these barrels start their journeys as being destined to be a Jim Beam release.
Level Four Char on the barrel - the common "alligator" char used for many bourbons. All juice is minimum 7-years per the age statement and I'd imagine most of the whiskey is not much older than that. Batch sizes will be big big.👃Nose: Very mild, oak and vanilla. Approachable, not at all overwhelming.
😜Palate: Thinnish mouthfeel, light and mellow on the palate. Old Oak, vanilla, popcorn, peanut, and a slight copper. Not much heat. Edges haves been rounded off by the years and proof point.
💦Finish: Short - Oaky again, hint of orange peel, quite unobtrusive. The daintiest Kentucky Hug.
🏆 Overall Rating: 5.50/10 - Drinkable/Crushable - This might be the most essentially bourbon possible bourbon. The extra barrel time has removed any sting present in the Jim Beam flagship, and the extra proof does provide some boost to flavor, but it's not quite enough to elevate this bottle beyond its price point. I was surprised by how overall easy drinking Jim Beam Black is, but was hoping for more in the flavor department. Not a bad pour by any means, Jim Beam Black sits on the fifty yard line, outdone by handful of options below its cost and most above it. That being said, I like it, maybe more than I should. It's an honest pour of whiskey and quite easy to drink, a solid entry point for beginners and those looking for a mild dram. If my palate is a little out of sorts and I want something comfortable, I've found myself reaching for this one more often than expected.
💵Would buy again? Probably, sooner than I think - For myself, I'm also enjoy grabbing Jim Beam Single Barrel for a around tenner more or dropping to Devil's Cut for the gimmick and vibes. Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond remains my budget pour of choice, but Beam Black label is just so easy to drink. Hoping for continued increases in age and maybe another small proof bump for this edition.
⚖️Rating Scale:
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume it by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws | Struggle to get through the bottle
4 | Serviceable | Mixing or ice recommended.
5 | Good | Drinkable Neat | An agreeable dram indeed.
6 | Very Good | Any flaws offset by interesting flavors | A cut above.
7 | Great | You find yourself reaching for this one often | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Serve to Impress Guests | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite | You guard this bottle jealously.
10 | Perfect | You didn't think anything could be this good | A clear champion.