Jim Beam Black Age statement

[HighTower]

Since I first started this post I have been seeing the 8yo Beam Black slowly diminish from store shelves, only to be replaced by the "aged to perfection".
I've never been a big fan of the Beam Black, but maybe I should revisit the 8yo before it's all but gone.

I personally prefer the Beams Choice at 5yo.

Scott

[cowdery]

The official word from Beam is that Black Label sales in markets outside the U.S. have exceeded projections. This has led to a shortage of aged product, which has forced them to change the label and, obviously, the age of the product inside. The "Aged to Perfection" label is being used in all markets outside the USA but the product sold inside the USA is and will remain 8-years-old, with the age statement on the label.

[scopenut]

Thanks for that useful information, Chuck.

-Kevin

[TBoner]

I overreacted. I often do. It's still frustrating to see age statements vanish anywhere. But I'll go ahead and be happy about the continuance of an 8-yr age statement stateside. And I'll say I'm sorry to Beam, because I know they were listening.

[dcb]

I almost grabbed a bottle of Jim Black the other day, it was on sale for $15.50. Haven't had it in a while, maybe I'll give it another taste.

[Jaysus]

He is a pic I snapped at the state store this week (wanted to show the t-shit packaging to a friend)

[craigthom]

Since you mentioned beer, have you noticed the effect the hop shortage is having on small brewery IPAs?

[Jaysus]

Since you mentioned beer, have you noticed the effect the hop shortage is having on small brewery IPAs?

absotivley... and on homebrewing. Hop prices have nearly doubled at my LHBS.

[Sijan]

Very glad to hear that JB Black is not losing the 8 year old age statement here in the US. It has long been a favorite everyday pour of mine.

[felthove]

Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!

It's only a matter of time before the age statement disappears here, too.

I know there's a shortage of extra-aged whiskey, etc., yadda, yadda, whatever and ever amen.

Again I ask, how can Beam not have a single age statement over 9 years and yet have a shortage of 8-yr-old product? The hell with it...I'm going back to beer.

In all seriousness, I am finding myself drawn to beer consumption as I watch prices climb, age statements vanish, proofs diminish, and quality slide.

Sure, there are lots of NAS products that drink quite well: ETL, BT, WT Rye, WT 101, etc. come to mind. Sure, good whiskey is good whiskey, no matter how old it is or what the proof is. Sure, the only reason for all of this is lack of aged whiskey to meet demand. (I'm skeptical as I don't expect the age statement will suddenly reappear on any of these products when the "shortage" is over - the shortage will end, given ramped up production and warehouse space at the top 3 American whiskey producers, right???).

Sometimes I think bunkering is silly, that I don't really need all of this whiskey sititng around, that I'll be able to pick up a bottle of OGD 114 whenever this one's empty. Then I watch as the rest of the English-speaking world loses age-stated Beam black and wonder how much time I have to stockpile a few bottles.

I'm tired of excuses, including those we make here, for the American whiskey industry's failure to continue satisfying the demand for traditional products: BIB, age-stated, and otherwise; even as they scramble to generate "new" products that they can charge exorbitant prices for. What's the saying? You don't make money by selling more cars. You make it by selling more car. Witness Parker's Heritage, Stagg, etc. Roger has lamented the fact that some truly superb individual barrels are sacrificed to maintain profiles for EW Black, Old Taylor, and other cats and dogs. I understand the sentiment, and to some extent I agree. But I also lament the fact that barrels are held back for premium bottlings at the expense of age statements, proof, or quality in the everyday bourbons that have been the cornerstone of American whiskey.

A scattershot rant, as I look back. Oh, well. I'm in no mood to focus the argument: I just finished my taxes, and I'm a bit tired.

If I could go to the store tomorrow and buy a couple of handles of Beam black, I would. Guess I'll have to wait until Monday.

Great post. One of the reasons I love this place.