I’ve decided to spend the next month or so on the bottom shelf of the bourbon dial to truly find out which bottom shelf bourbon is better. Why not start with the OG of the bottom shelf? Jim Beam bourbon or as some people call it Jim Beam White Label.
Master of Malt describes the distillation process for Jim Beam bourbon:
Jim Beam bourbon undergoes distillation at lower temperatures and is distilled to no more than 62.5%, the White label is aged for four years and has quite a high percentage of rye in the mashbill.
The Jim Beam Original mashbill is 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. It’s off the still at 135 proof, in the barrel at 125 proof, and in the bottle at 80 proof. In 1943, Jim Beam officially was named after James B. Beam who resurrected the distillery after prohibition, and so was born the most popular bourbon brand in America and the iconic Jim Beam white label
Related:
- Jim Beam Brands
- Booker’s Bourbon Batches
- Every Little Book Whiskey Reviewed
- Every Maker’s Mark Bourbon Review
- Every Baker’s Bourbon Reviewed
- Every Old Grand-Dad Bourbon Reviewed
Start shopping for bourbon clothing and accessories. The Bard’s Shop has custom tees and hoodies, books, barrels, and more.
Table of Contents
The Best Jim Beam Bourbon Ranked
- Jim Beam Black Extra-Aged – Silver 85.6 out of 100 Points
- Jim Beam Devil’s Cut – Bronze 81 out of 100 Points
- Jim Beam White – Bronze 77 out of 100 Points
- Jim Beam Bonded – Ranking Coming Soon
- Jim Beam Double Oak – Ranking Coming Soon
- Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut – Ranking Coming Soon
Jim Beam bourbon blind tasting is the only way to do an honest head to head. One of my favorite YouTube channels for whiskey tastings It’s Bourbon Night did a phenomenal Jim Beam bourbon blind tasting. Check it out.
Jim Beam White Reviewed
| Jim Beam Bourbon (White Label) | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley |
| Off the Still | 135 Proof |
| In the Barrel | 125 Proof |
| In the Bottle | 80 Proof |
| ABV | 40% |
| Age | 4 Years |
| Release Type | Small Batch |
| Price | $14.97 |
| Distillery | Jim Beam Distillery 568 Happy Hollow Rd. Clermont, KY 40110 |
| Pros | Great Mixer |
| Cons | Lacks Complexity |
| Rating | Bronze 77 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Pass for Me |
High viscosity and oily covering my Glencairn whiskey glass. It’s white gold and hay color.
Nose – 72 out of 100 Points
I get peanut shells and hay. Subtle underripe peach, bitter orange peel, and vanilla and light caramel. Kind of disappointed. The big, bold flavors I expect from Beam aren’t there.
Taste – 80 out of 100 Points
It’s got hints of light caramel and vanilla with the peanut shell note and hints of black pepper on the top of the palate.
Finish – 81 out of 100 Points
The finish is more peanuts, vanilla, and black pepper but it’s a short finish but not what I’d call smooth either.
Verdict – Bronze 77 out of 100 Points
The nose was disappointing but the palate and finish rebounded. It’s amazing how much flavor Beam gets out of its 6 to 8-year-old bourbon for Booker’s but how those bold flavors aren’t present in their entry-level Beam white label bourbon.
This is a mixer all the way. Made a great highball with this after seeing Beam advertising it on Instagram the past week or so. Pro Tip: get your hands on some dusty Jim Beam bourbon — it can sometimes be found at a reasonable price, and let me tell you the Jim Beam Original Dusty doesn’t disappoint.
Jim Beam White: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jim Beam better than Jack Daniels?
I ranked Jack Daniel’s higher than Jim Beam white label. I’d go with Jack.
Is Jim Beam a bourbon or a whiskey?
It’s both actually. All bourbon is whiskey.
How do you drink Jim Beam bourbon?
Drink it however you want. I’d mix it with coke on a hot summer day personally or make a highball.
Can you drink Jim Beam straight?
Of course, you can but for me, it’s lacking the complexity and depth I’m looking for in a bourbon I’d drink neat.
Is Jim Beam considered top shelf?
Jim Beam definitely distills top-shelf bourbon, but Jim Beam white label isn’t top-shelf.
Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Review
| Jim Beam Devil's Cut Bourbon | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley |
| Off the Still | 135 Proof |
| In the Barrel | 125 Proof |
| In the Bottle | 90 Proof |
| ABV | 45% |
| Age | 6 to 8YO |
| Release Type | Small Batch |
| Suggested MSRP | $19.99 |
| Pros | Budget-friendly. Solid neat. Enjoyable. |
| Cons | Lacks Complexity |
| Rating | Silver 81 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Try It First |
Jim Beam Devil’s Cut is a technical flex by the Jim Beam distillery. “We take the liquid we extract from our barrels, blend it with extra-aged Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and bottle it at 90 proof to create a premium bourbon with extra depth and complexity.”
Moderate glass coverage with thin beady legs.
Nose – 82 out of 100 Points
Vanilla, charred wood, and raisins. Reminds me a bit of those vanilla yogurt covered raisins. It’s a straightforward experience. Not a bad experience but not complex or compelling either.
Taste – 82 out of 100 Points
Lots of charred oak with just a hint of burnt brown sugar, and black pepper on the mid-palate.
Finish – 79 out of 100 Points
Short finish. Basically, the same flavor profile from nose to finish. Sweet oak.
Verdict – Bronze 81 out of 100 Points
I would drink this over the Jim Beam white label. I would place it squarely within the mid-shelf drinker category. Budget-friendly. Solid neat. Enjoyable.
Is Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Good?
I enjoyed sipping on Jim Beam Devil’s Cut. It was wood and sweet with a nice amount of spice.
Is Jim Beam Devil’s Cut really extracted from wood?
Yes, Jim Beam takes the stubborn bourbon that’s left in their barrels. Extracted it and blended it with Jim Beam extra-aged bourbon to create this blend.
Jim Beam Black Extra-Aged Review
| Jim Beam Black Extra-Aged | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley |
| Off the Still | 135 Proof |
| In the Barrel | 125 Proof |
| In the Bottle | 86 Proof |
| ABV | 43% |
| Age | NAS (Previously 8YO Minimum) |
| Release Type | Small Batch |
| Suggested MSRP | $18.99 |
| Pros | Solid Sipper |
| Cons | Lacks Punchy Flavors |
| Rating | Silver 85.6 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Buy It and Try It |
Nose – 85 out of 100 Points
Classic bourbon notes — vanilla, caramel, and charred oak. The flavors are a bit muted.
Taste – 85 out of 100 Points
The sweet note is butterscotch on the mid-palate. It’s smoky charred oak and black pepper with a light creamy caramel mouthfeel.
Finish – 86 out of 100 Points
The finish is medium to long. It’s creamy caramel, smoky oak, and cinnamon.
Complexity – 85 out of 100 Points
This bourbon grew on me. It also improved through the drinking experience. This isn’t a dig but this is the kind of better the less you analyze it. Just sit on the front porch and sip and you’ll be happy for hours on a cool fall afternoon.
Value – 87 out of 100 Points
Jim Beam Black Extra-Aged is less than $20. It’s a solid but as a mixer, to share with friends who aren’t bourbon fanatics, or just to sip daily on a bourbon budget.
Verdict – Silver 85.6 out of 100 Points
Is Jim Beam Black really the highest-rated bourbon?
Jim Beam’s Black won the Bourbon Trophy at the 2016 International Wine & Spirits Competition, their highest honor.
Jim Beam Bonded Review
Full Review Coming Soon
Jim Beam Double Oak Review
Full Review Coming Soon
Jim Beam Distiller’s Cut Review
Full Review Coming Soon
Jim Beam Single Barrel 108 Proof Review
Full Review Coming Soon
Jim Beam Repeal Batch Review
Full Review Coming Soon
Start shopping for bourbon clothing and accessories. The Bard’s Shop has custom tees and hoodies, books, barrels, and more.
Written by Matty Sims
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