Review #287 - Jim Beam Black Extra Aged Bourbon
The step above Jim Beam's entry-level White Label in their core range of bourbons - this is the Black label, which is 'extra aged.' This product used to carry an age statement of 8 years, which was roughly double the maturation time that the White Label gets; now, it's not age stated, and most estimates put the age lower than 8 years, but at least 6 years.
This also gets a bump in strength from the entry level - 43% ABV (86 proof) vs 40% ABV (80 proof). We're hoping that will lead to a nicer mouthfeel and density of flavors, though it's still relatively low.
Jim Beam Black Extra Aged Bourbon
USA - Bourbon
Current Locally Available Price: USD 22 (2024)
Age Statement: NAS
Strength: 43% ABV
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 12 months; bottles at 100%, 50% (blind tasting), and 40% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: A nutty note comes out first - soft, sweet, with some mild oak. There's brown sugar and burnt caramel adding more baking notes, and then a barrel char note arrives; with time, hints of grain and a dusty character develop.
Palate: The mouthfeel is medium-thin; it's slightly muted and watery, but not overly so. Somewhat simple, with black pepper and barrel spice, which are balanced by little hints of cherry and vanilla. Wood smoke and grain arrive later.
Finish: Dry vanilla, white pepper, and corn grain lead the way into the finish, as well as some darker toasted oak. Little tannins can be found, along with mild brown sugar; it's a medium-short finish.
Final Note: There's a decent oak spice in this from the additional aging, but it isn't overly refined, adding a sharper, smokier spice. Still, there's enough sweet flavor from brown sugar and vanilla to keep it relatively balanced. Our biggest complaint would be the bottling strength - there's isn't much of a mouthfeel or texture here. Okay to sip on, better for mixing - it's fine.
Value is actually pretty decent, considering the price. There aren't a ton of whiskies still available around the $20 mark, and this one fits in well with the quality of a lot of its competitors.
Our Average Rating: 4.8 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 7.10
