Aiyaz Crystal Wine Glasses

Jim Beam

The Pride Of American Whiskey Is Jim Beam

Jim Beam is one of the big names of bourbon, so there's no surprise to find a big man behind it all. Booker Noe isn't just physically huge, he is one of the foundation stones of the modern industry. Booker is Jim's grandson and still lives in Jim's old house in Bardstown.

Talk to him and you are tapping straight into the history of bourbon itself.
Today, Jim Beam is the world's biggest selling bourbon, but in 1934 things weren't so rosy. Prohibition had been in force for 13 years, and there was no stock left. To start up again would be expensive and risky. But this didn't deter Jim who, aged 70, built a new distillery in Clermont in just 120 days. What else could a Beam do? Whiskey making runs in their veins. After all, Booker's great-great-great grandfather Jacob Beam started making whiskey commercially in 1795.

This was the distilling capital of the world before it was put out of business by the government,' says Booker. 'Why did he start it up again? Remember, he'd been in the whiskey business for 40 years before Prohibition. Beams have now been making bourbon for 205 years.'

Booker has now passed the reins to Jerry Dalton, the first non-Beam to be appointed master distiller. The fact that he lived in the house directly behind Booker's is pure coincidence. 'Well, even a blind hog finds an acorn every so often!' he laughs. For all his modesty, Jerry is a highly respected distiller and, though reluctant to give away too many company secrets, will take you deep into the process.

There's a sequence of special quirks at work in Beam's two plants, but it's yeast that Jerry zooms in on. For Scottish distillers, yeast is merely a catalyst that converts sugar to alcohol and CO2- However, for bourbon distillers it has almost mystical properties and each firm guards its own strain(s): Beam is still using the yeasts propagated by Jim in his kitchen in the 1930s.

'Different yeasts produce different levels of fusel oil, which will ultimately have an effect on the flavour,' Jerry explains. 'In ageing, the fusel oils form esters with whatever acids are present. Each yeast will give different proportions of these fusel oils, so you get different flavour profiles.

When you combine the special yeasts with the higher-than-average percentage of backset (which produces what Jerry calls Beam's 'bold' flavour), and the two-and-a-half times distillation (the vapour from the beer still passes through a thumper before being redistilled in the doubler) the signature Beam character is taking shape.
But if Jim Beam White Label is the world's best-known bourbon, it's the firm's small batch range which is rightly making waves. The four-strong selection is clear evidence of how complex a spirit bourbon can be, but the one closest to Booker's heart, not surprisingly, is the one which he selects personally and which carries his name.

'Booker's is the only one that's bottled at the same proof at which it went into the barrel,' he says, with considerable relish. 'It's whiskey like it was a hundred years ago'.
If the style hasn't changed, the methods certainly have. Does today's high-tech approach of distilling make Jerry less of an artist and more of a scientist? 'I'm a bit of both,' he says. 'There's an art to making bourbon that has evolved over two hundred years, but I'm also a scientist who wants to find better ways to control the process and preserve the mystery behind it all'.

The techniques may be space-age, but the small batch range signals a return to a time when bourbon meant big, bold and flavoursome whiskey. 'People just kinda got away from flavour,' muses Booker. 'After Prohibition they cut the proof or blended it to make it go further. Now flavour's coming back. The industry's been badly beat up, but now it's rolling again. It'll be back now that people are tasting this super-good whiskey. Hell yes, bourbon's back.
TASTING NOTES

Jim Beam White Label 4-year-old
80°proof Lightly oaked, with some light spicy notes. Clean and sound. * *

Small batch range

Basil Hayden 8-year-old

80°proof Light and rye-accented, with plenty of lemon and tobacco leaf notes. Clean, with crisp rye mixing it with dark, ripe, nutty fruit. * * *

Baker's 7-year-old

107°proof Richer, with a leather armchair kind of nose and lots of overripe fruit. Slightly biscuity to start with, then good sweet vanilla fruit. * * *

Knob Creek 9-year-old

100°proof Rich and sweet with honey, blackberry and spun sugar. Elegant and super-ripe, with a hint of vanilla and some light cinnamon spice on the finish. * * * * *

Booker's 7-year-old

126.5°proof Amazingly complex without water, for such a powerful Bourbon - and a bit like a grizzly bear dancing. Huge and flavour-packed with raisin, chestnut honey, black cherry, pepper, cinnamon and toffee. Rich and immensely powerful, mixing orange peel, creme brulee and tobacco/cigar blown along by a hickory wind. Immense. **** *

About the Author

Read about grilling spare ribs and grilling swordfish at the Grilling Meat website.

Tin Signs - Jim Beam $11.4 Tin Signs - Jim Beam

Jim Beam - Woodcut $12.99 Jim Beam - Woodcut - Tin Sign

Jim Beam Fade Jim Beam Boxers for men $13.5 These boxer shorts for men feature a bottle of Jim Beam on the right leg with the Jim Beam logo on the left and rear. The background is black.

Jim Beam Black Label $11.99 Jim Beam Black Label - Tin Sign

JIM BEAM / GRILLING FORK / JB0139 $18.29 JIM BEAM - GRILLING FORK - JB0139

JIM BEAM / BRANDING IRON / JB0115 $25.6 JIM BEAM - BRANDING IRON - JB0115

BISQUETTES, JIM BEAM BOURBON 48PK $16.99 BISQUETTES, JIM BEAM BOURBON 48PK

JIM BEAM / WIDE HEAD GRILL BRUSH / JB0135 $19.5 JIM BEAM - WIDE HEAD GRILL BRUSH - JB0135

JIM BEAM / 2PK KABOB GRILLING BASKTS / JB0132 $18.18 JIM BEAM - 2PK KABOB GRILLING BASKTS - JB0132

JIM BEAM / WIDE HEAD SPATULA / JB0123 $21.94 JIM BEAM - WIDE HEAD SPATULA - JB0123

JIM BEAM / CLASSIC GRILLING APRON / JB0112 $22.56 JIM BEAM - CLASSIC GRILLING APRON - JB0112

JIM BEAM / SQUARE GRILLING WOK / JB0127 $25.6 JIM BEAM - SQUARE GRILLING WOK - JB0127

JIM BEAM / HEAVY-DUTY GRILLING TONGS / JB0138 $19.5 JIM BEAM - HEAVY-DUTY GRILLING TONGS - JB0138

JIM BEAM / FISH TURNER TONGS / JB0122 $25.6 JIM BEAM - FISH TURNER TONGS - JB0122

Jim Beam Engraved Zippo Lighter $29.95 This 3oz. silver color metal Zippo lighter features an engraving of Jim Beam, "The World's Finest Bourbon." Includes all writing commonly found on Jim Beam bottles.

Jim Beam Bourbon Boxers for men $12.5 These boxer shorts for men feature a Jim Beam Bourbon barrel on the right with the Beam Formula Logo on the left leg. The rear reads 'None genuine without my signature' and bears the James B. Beam signature.

Jim Beam Label all-over Boxer for men $12 These boxer shorts are covered with an all-over print of the Jim Beam logo.

The Jim Beam Story (Hardcover) $32.93 This book is an entertaining and informative look at the First Family of Bourbon - the Beams - written by the colorful, seventh generation Beam family member and Master Distiller, Frederick Booker Noe III. It is the first book to be written by a Beam, the family behind the 217-year whiskey dynasty, and makers of one of the world`s best-selling bourbon, Jim Beam. The book features family and bourbon history, stories about Fred`s youth "growing up Beam" in Bardstown, Kentucky, his transition from the bottling line to renown global bourbon ambassador, as well as valuable business insights and takeaways.The book includes details onFred Noe`s life on the road, spreading the bourbon gospel A simple primer on how bourbon is made.Fred`s long journey to becoming the face of one of America`s most iconic brandsCocktail and food recipesThe bourbon industry today, and how the Jim Beam family business helped shape itThe various sponsorships, charities, and events that the company supports

Jim Beam Black Logo Zippo Refillable Lighter $29.95 Officially licensed Jim Beam Black Logo Zippo Refillable Lighter. This authentic Zippo lighter features a classic Jim Beam logo. High polish chrome. Comes in gift case.

Jim Beam Striped Chrome Zippo Refillable Lighter $36.95 Officially licensed Jim Beam Striped Chrome Zippo Refillable Lighter. This authentic Zippo lighter features a Jim Beam logo and plaid pattern. High polish chrome. Comes in gift case.

JIM BEAM JB0115 Branding Iron $29.67 JIM BEAM BRANDING IRON. ALLOWS USERS TO SPELL OUT NAME OR CREATE A CLEVER MESSAGE THAT CAN BE BRANDED ONTO THE MEATS THEY COOKUPC : 736386801152Shipping Dimensions : 21.80in X 5.00in X 1.90inEstimated Shipping Weight : 1.2476

Jim Beam Triple Logo Lounge Pants for men $18.5 These lounge pants feature Jim Beam's Registered Trademark Logo in triple text, and read 'Famous for Quality SINCE 1795' on red.

BRADLEY SMOKER USA INC. / BISQUETTES, JIM BEAM BOURBON 48PK / BTJB48 $32.93 BRADLEY SMOKER USA INC. - BISQUETTES, JIM BEAM BOURBON 48PK - BTJB48

Jim Beam Genuine Whiskey White Graphic T Shirt $17.99 Officially licensed Jim Beam Genuine Whiskey White Graphic T Shirt. Features a classic Jim Beam design on the front of the tee. 100% cotton.

Jim Beam Distressed Label Charcoal Heather Graphic T Shirt $18.99 Officially licensed Jim Beam Distressed Label Charcoal Heather Graphic TShirt. Features a large faded Jim Beam design on the front. Cotton/poly blend.

Jim Beam Rock It Lounge Pants for men $18.5 These lounge pants feature the Jim Beam logo and some drink glasses with ice cubes in them in an all-over print on a black background.

Zippo mp319998218 Jim Beam Zippo Lighter $33.8 A lustrous high polish brass lighter with a dimensional antiqued brass emblem. Genuine Zippo windproof lighter packaged in a tin with Jim Beam sleeve and the famous Zippo lifetime guarantee. Jim Beam is a registered trademark of Jim Beam Brands Co. and is used under authorized license to Zippo Manufacturing Company. All rights reserved worldwide. INTENDED FOR PURCHASE BY ADULTS OF LEGAL PURCHASE AGE FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

Jim Beam Real Bourbon Chrome Zippo Refillable Lighter $27.95 Officially licensed Jim Beam Real Bourbon Chrome Zippo Refillable Lighter. This authentic Zippo lighter reads, 'Real Bourbon Since 1795' and has a printed Jim Beam design on the front. Comes in gift case.

Jim Beam Label Brass Tone Zippo Refillable Lighter $37.95 Officially licensed Jim Beam Label Brass Tone Zippo Refillable Lighter. This authentic Zippo lighter has an etched design of the Jim Beam label. Comes in gift case.

Jim Beam Logo Black Mens Swim Trunks Board Shorts $34.99 Officially licensed Jim Beam Logo Black Mens Swim Trunks Board Shorts. Features a large Jim Beam design on the side with a pocket on the opposite leg. Waist includes elastic and a front tie.

Jim Beam Fading Logos Black Mens Boxer Shorts $14.95 Officially licensed Jim Beam Fading Logos Black Mens Boxer Shorts. Features a Jim Beam bottle and repeating logos throughout. Elastic waist and open fly. Sizing: M (32-34), L (36-38), XL (40-42)

Zippo Lighter Jim Beam Butane Gas $86.89 Zippo Lighter Jim Beam Butane Gas is available from jewelbasket.com for only $75.56. Buy now and save. Jewelbasket offers the best value on Gifts & Corporate Promotional Gifts, jewelry and gifts.

Zippo Jim Beam High Polish Chrome Lighter $37.95 Zippo Jim Beam High Polish Chrome Lighter is available from jewelbasket.com for only $33.00. Buy now and save. Jewelbasket offers the best value on Gifts & Corporate Promotional Gifts, jewelry and gifts.

Style Asia JB0115 Jim Beam Branding Iron $161.92 Jim Beam knows every grill cook takes great pride in the food they cook. That s why we ve created the Jim Beam BBQ branding iron for personalizing your burgers and steaks. Spell out your name or create a clever message that can be branded ino the burger. It s grilling with expression. Dimensions:. Length: 21.5. Height: 5. Width: 2

Jim Beam Logo All-Over Lounge Pants for men $18.5 These lounge pants feature the Jim Beam wax seal logo in an all-over print on a black background.

Jim Beam Zippo Lighter $23.95 Zippo Manufacturing Company has produced over 400 million windproof lighters since its founding in 1932. Except for improvements in the flint wheel and modifications in case finishes, Zippo's original design remains virtually unchanged today, still looks great and are easy to use. The Lifetime Guarantee that accompanies every Zippo lighter still guarantees that "It works or we fix it free™" for life.

Robby Gordon Signed Photograph - Jim Beam Racing 3x5 Index Card $25.04 Robby Gordon Signed Photograph - Jim Beam Racing 3x5 Index Card ROBBY GORDON JIM BEAM RACING SIGNED 3X5 INDEX CARDEvery signed item comes fully certified with a tamper proof hologram certificate of authenticity and is backed by the SportsMemorabilia.com Authenticity Guarantee.