Colonel James B. Beam

The Basics:

James B. Beam Distilling Company

108 Proof

2 year age statement

$80 MSRP

Nose:

Cornbread, toffee, peanut shells, lavender, and brown sugar.

Palate:

Reese’s peanut butter cups, herbal tea, and corn.

Finish:

Medium finish with honeysuckle, black tea, and pepper.

Jacob’s Well

The Basics:

James B. Beam Distilling Company

108 Proof

184 month age statement

$150 MSRP

Nose:

Grape jelly donut, raspberry, cinnamon sugar, and oak.

Palate:

Angel food cake, apricot, toasted walnut, and powdered sugar.

Finish:

Long finish with oak, nutmeg, and fennel.

Final Thoughts:

The newest addition to the Jim Beam portfolio is the Hardin’s Creek line, named for the creek where the Company first began distillation. The first two releases include the Colonel James B. Beam 2-year bourbon and the Jacob’s Well 184 month bourbon (15 years for anyone who doesn’t want to do the math). Starting with the Colonel James B. Beam, what separates this from other Beam releases is the lower distillation proof, which is said to bring more flavor. Right off the bat, a punch of peanut shells and cornbread on the nose, which develops into a richer peanut butter and herbal tea on the palate. Conversely, the Jacob’s Well is a much more aged whiskey showcasing the impact that a slow maturation can have in the charred oak barrels. Grape jelly donuts with cinnamon sugar on the nose lead into dried apricots, walnuts, and fennel. Overall, these two whiskies are drastically different. The younger Colonel James B. Beam is more traditional to the Beam profile with classic peanut aromas, whereas the Jacob’s well is much darker with layers of baking spices and red fruits. If I could only grab one at the store, my money is on the Jacob’s Well.