Jim Beam Black... 7 year?

[JayMonster]

I found info in the "launch" of the 7/90, which ocurred in 1997.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1...nkers-car-corp

According to the one thread I did find on a similar topic for Beam Black, it was changed over to 86 proof around 1999 or 2000.

So I guess that places this within that 3 year window.

[JayMonster]

Actually, after reading this article again, I get a kick out of the fact that when they relaunched Jim Beam Black in 1997, that this was supposed to be targeted at the "Upmarket" bourbon buyer.

While certainly not targeted at the Heaven Hill, Evan Williams, Ten High segment of the market, I think "Upmarket" might be a bit overstated.

[JayMonster]

So, I decided to crack this bottle open. And I learned a few things.

1. Higher ABV does not guarantee a richer taste experience than lower of essentially the same product.

2. Older bottlings does not necessarily mean better.

3. The difference between 7 year old and 8 year old Beam black shows exactly what an extra year in the barrrel can do for a product.

or

3A. Beam picked up their game between this older release and now.

There was no mistaking the fact that this was JBB. It is just that other than the higher ABV of the older 7 yr bottling, everything else seems better in the newer 8 year "Double Aged" 86 proof bottle. A better mouth feel. Richer and better taste, right down to the finish. With recent bottlings, the finish is sort of like Black Licorice, whereas the older came across more like an anise extract. Generally the same flavoring, but with a more alcohol and incomplete taste.

Perhaps I set my expectations a bit too high when I read that article I linked previously. Thinking that that this 7 yr 90 proof was Beams attempt to lure "Upmarket" drinkers, that they would have come out swinging with something really good. Instead, it is more of an explanation as to why they have continued to "tweak" it over the years.

It is certainly drinkable. But will I go grab the other remaining bottles? Nope. There is simply no reason. If I want Jim Beam Black, I will go with the 86 Proof, if I need something with more alcohol, I will go elsewhere.

[Brisko]

Nice comparisons.

By the way, I think "upmarket" probably just means "stepping up from White label." As opposed to "entry level."

[Enoch]

So, I decided to crack this bottle open. And I learned a few things.

1. Higher ABV does not guarantee a richer taste experience than lower of essentially the same product.

2. Older bottlings does not necessarily mean better.

3. The difference between 7 year old and 8 year old Beam black shows exactly what an extra year in the barrrel can do for a product.

or

3A. Beam picked up their game between this older release and now.

There was no mistaking the fact that this was JBB. It is just that other than the higher ABV of the older 7 yr bottling, everything else seems better in the newer 8 year "Double Aged" 86 proof bottle. A better mouth feel. Richer and better taste, right down to the finish. With recent bottlings, the finish is sort of like Black Licorice, whereas the older came across more like an anise extract. Generally the same flavoring, but with a more alcohol and incomplete taste.

Perhaps I set my expectations a bit too high when I read that article I linked previously. Thinking that that this 7 yr 90 proof was Beams attempt to lure "Upmarket" drinkers, that they would have come out swinging with something really good. Instead, it is more of an explanation as to why they have continued to "tweak" it over the years.

It is certainly drinkable. But will I go grab the other remaining bottles? Nope. There is simply no reason. If I want Jim Beam Black, I will go with the 86 Proof, if I need something with more alcohol, I will go elsewhere.

I'm surprised because I have several bottles of 101/90 and 8/90 from the late 80s to early 90s and find them to be much better than JBB today. They don't have the funky yeast taste that modern JB products have.