Jim Beam Black... 7 year?

[JayMonster]

I have searched both here and other spots, but could not find this. Yes, I know the export JBB is "triple aged" 6 years, but I could not find anything on this old label version of Black claiming 7 years and 90 proof rather than the typical 86.

Anyone familiar with this? Did JBB used to be a 7 year product? Or is this an export that somehow made it into a US store?

[Enoch]

I don't know about this specifically but I think Beam has varied the Black over the years. I have several bottles of "Beam's Black Label" which is 90 proof. One is 101 months and the other is 8 years. So there may have been a 7 year at some point. I also have some jim Beam Reserve which has a black label and is 7 years but it is 80 proof and taste a lot like Basil. Can you post a picture?

[JayMonster]

On the Left, the 750 ml. bottle looking more like I expected it to, on the right, the 1 liter bragging 7 years and 90 proof.

[Bmac]

Am i reading that right? 29 bux!?! That,s odd sitting next to the 8 yr with 23 bux.

[JayMonster]

Am i reading that right? 29 bux!?! That,s odd sitting next to the 8 yr with 23 bux.

It is a little hard to tell by the picture, but the $23.99 is a 750 ml but the $29.99 is a 1 Liter bottle.

Plus the shop owner had no idea that they were any different, other than he sells a "lot more" 750 than 1L bottles (though it doesn't seem he sells much of either considering they are both older labels).

[Bmac]

It is a little hard to tell by the picture, but the $23.99 is a 750 ml but the $29.99 is a 1 Liter bottle.

Oh snap! you're right. I didn't realize the larger bottle.

It may not be the best rule of thumb (especially for Beam products) but: "They don't make'm like they used to." Some brands up their game to get more sales; maybe this is one of those times and that 7 year is actually good. It's a roll of the dice to be sure and Jim Beam, though stable, isn't known as a phenom product.

[Brisko]

I don't know about this specifically but I think Beam has varied the Black over the years. I have several bottles of "Beam's Black Label" which is 90 proof. One is 101 months and the other is 8 years. So there may have been a 7 year at some point. I also have some jim Beam Reserve which has a black label and is 7 years but it is 80 proof and taste a lot like Basil. Can you post a picture?

Yeah, they've fiddled with the Black Label a lot. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the progression was something like this: 101 months/90 proof, 8/90, 7/90, and 8/86. I don't know if the Reserve belongs in this bunch or not, I've never seen it. Interesting that it tastes like BH.

[Bmac]

Yeah, they've fiddled with the Black Label a lot. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the progression was something like this: 101 months/90 proof, 8/90, 7/90, and 8/86. I don't know if the Reserve belongs in this bunch or not, I've never seen it. Interesting that it tastes like BH.

I think there was another one called "Double Aged" with no actual age statement. I think that was last year's label.

[Brisko]

I think there was another one called "Double Aged" with no actual age statement. I think that was last year's label.

That's the current label, except that it has the age statement. The NAS versions are international only.

[Bmac]

The NAS versions are international only.

Wow, I think I can actually pick those up at a store near here for about 19 bux. Although, I don't think the juice is any better