Sorry - Jacob's Well again...

[JDutton]

Maybe I'm beating a dead horse, but in reading lots of comments about Jacob's Well, I get a real mixed message.

The reason I'm interested is that I've found several bottles in a local store, and I'm trying to figure out whether it is worthwhile to buy the whole lot or not. I'll probably buy one, just to try it out, but is there any real reason to stock up, i.e. prestige , trading value, "never pass up a discontinued brand", etc.?

Thanks,
Jeff

[straightwhiskeyruffneck]

i really liked the jacob's well when it was available to me. it sorta reminded me of knob creek, but a little different being twice barreled. i dont think its so great i'd buy the whole lot, but i would definitly bring home a few to revisit.

[doubleblank]

This one doesn't fall into the category of "buy 'em all" to me. It wasn't popluar when introduced.....and hasn't gained in popularity since being discontinued in the mid '90's (?). Buy one and taste it before spending more money. It definitely tastes similar to other Beam products and if you like Beam Black, you'll probably like Jacobs Well (although, IIRC, I found Jacob's Well to be lighter than JB Black).

I don't see them often, but they are on the shelf at several places here in Houston.

Randy

[smokinjoe]

Jeff, I picked up a couple of these last week. Same thing, just wanted to see what it was all about. It was....OK. But, I was very impressed with the packaging. Very nice bottle and graphics. Do you see the resemblence to Knob Creek graphics, as I do? As Randy said, probably shouldn't get them all, but at least get 1 to drink and 1 to save if you're into stashing or trading.

JOE

[Jazzhead]

Funny thing is, I recently found an old liquor store near the Camden docks with four bottles of Jacob's Well. I only bought one, though - there were a couple of old Wild Turkey "no. 8 brand" gift sets I wanted more. Will I buy another? I dunno - it depends on whether I like the stuff and I haven't yet opened the bottle!

Looks like after work is done I ought to assist you in your endeavor, and taste it the spirit of seeking to help and inform my fellow man.

[Jazzhead]

Well, I tasted the JW side by side with an open bottle of Knob Creek. They look the same, they smell the same, they nearly taste the same. There's a difference in proof (the Jacob's Well is oddly proofed at 84), and the longer aging of the Knob Creek is noticable. But the Jacob's Well this guy only wants 20 bucks for, so maybe it can supply my Beam fix for about five bucks less! (So could JB Black, but this bottle is quite the novelty, a concept echoed in the KC graphics and "workingman's" bottle)

I don't drink Beam whiskey too often, but sometimes it hits the spot. Jacob's Well is true to form - straight down the middle, dry, direct, and with less of the floral or fruit elements that most other distillers' premium products possess. Beam bourbon reminds me of Jack Danials whisky, which similarly, to me, doesn't emphasize sweeter flavor elements.

[Edit] I'll tell you, though, the Jacob's Well is growing on me. The second pour was thorougly enjoyable, the lighter proof helped to open up the flavor, which was smooth and with some, yes, raisiney sweetness in the finish. Final verdict - thumbs up!

- Kurt

[jeff]

I'm quite fond of Jacobs Well, and in fact it is my brother-in-law Brian's favorite bourbon. Too bad for him I'd buy a couple bottles for novelty or trading at least. You may never see it again.

[cowdery]

I don't disagree with anything anyone has said. I do think it's odd that these are turning up now, because in the past Jacob's Well mostly has come up when people are looking for it and can't find it.

People do look for it from time to time and if you are or want to get into trading, it wouldn't be bad to have it as a trade item. It's not something that will ever put your kids through college, but it might get you a bottle of something equally rare if trading is something you're into.

[mozilla]

Hey Ya'll, just opened up my bottles of Jacob's Well 7yr 84proof and JB black 7yr 90 proof to see what I could gather. Both are very similar though the JW did not have the power or finish I require from a $20 750ml. JB Black is not my favorite pour but it held its head up and finished the race strong with plenty of lingering bourbon goodness. Thier colors were identical and nose as well. I have found a half dozen of both bottlings in Austin but have only purchased one of each. Cheers to more indepth research.
Jeff M.