You might be asking, “Who makes Old Tub Bottled in Bond Bourbon?” Old Tub is made by Jim Beam. Old Tub was the name the Beam family used for its whiskey from 1880 to 1943 when it was renamed Jim Beam. It was named after the old wooden tubs where the mash was cooked. (Pro tip: take the tour at Woodford Reserve or Maker’s Mark to see old-style wooden tubs in action today).

Fred Noe talks about his family’s history with the brand,

“I always say just look at them old guys and you’ll see pretty quick. They drank one brand and one bottle — that’s it. If my grandfather on my mom’s side was drinking, you better believe it was an old whiskey called Old Tub, and that’s what he drank. He didn’t drink beer, wine or vodka. If we didn’t have no Old Tub, then he drank water,”

Beam has had an on-again, off-again relationship with the brand name after prohibition. It was a national brand for a bit then it was a Kentucky-only release. Then it was completely shelved during the bourbon downturn in the late 70s and 80s.

However, recently Old Tub Bottled in Bond Bourbon was resurrected as a 375 mL gift shop only release. Until 2020, when it was re-released nationwide as a limited release — two batches per year and when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Related:

• Jim Beam Brands
• Every Old Grand-Dad Bourbon Reviewed
• Every Old Overholt Rye Whiskey Reviewed
• Old Talor Bourbon (1997) Review
• Old Crow Chessmen Decanter 1969 Review
• Every Jim Beam Bourbon Reviewed
• Booker’s Bourbon Batches
• Every Little Book Whiskey Reviewed
• Every Maker’s Mark Bourbon Review
• Baker’s Bourbon Reviewed

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Old Tub Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review

Nose – 87 out of 100 Points

Caramel ties the nose together with sweet cinnamon and bright cherries and apples. I also pick up a pleasant oak note. It’s a nicely developed nose with delightful aromas.

Taste – 85 out of 100 Points

The baking spice and charred oak are pronounced. The mouthfeel is solid. The sweeter caramel notes are more subtle on the palate. Black pepper also prickles the tongue.

Finish – 87 out of 100 Points

The finish is a solid medium length with caramel corn and charred cinnamon and oak with just a hint of pepper.

Complexity – 86 out of 100 Points

Old Tub offers a ton of complexity for a bourbon of its price. Solid flavors with good depth.

Value – 90 out of 100 Points

Jim Beam is the undisputed king of the under $30 whiskey from Old Grand-Dad to Old Overholt to Old Tub. Mainly distilleries have one solid whiskey in this budget range, but Beam has a cache of budget whiskeys.

Verdict – Silver 87 out of 100 Points

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