200 year anniversary Jim Beam and JB reserve

[clingman71]

Two semi-related questions. I have a Jim Beam 200 anniversary bottle unopened from 1995. I bought 2 back then, drank one, stashed the other to be forgotton for many years. I was just learning whiskey in 1995, more into Black Bush and Balvenie Double wood at the time. I don't remember much about the first bottle. There is a thread on here about the 1795-1995 Beam, but it is closed and didn't mention much as far as tasing notes. Anyone familiar with this Beam? Aged 75 months-95 proof. I'm starting to get the itch to open this bottle.

Second, lot B is the bourbon that got me "hooked" a decade or so ago, but the bourbon that got me started, without which I never would have found lot B, was Jim Beam Reserve Seven Years Old. The bottle was a different shape than regular Beam. It was a black label with Seven Years Old written out. It was different than any of the versions of Jim Beam Black that I have ever seen. I bought mine at a Class 6, but also saw it once in a liquor store in Richmond, IN. When I visited Beam Outpost, no one could tell me anything about it. Any ideas or info out there?

[wadewood]

Beam has played around with the Black label product and label lots over the years - slightly different proofs/ages. The Beam 200th bottle is very similar to other Beam Black products.

[clingman71]

The Black label "Reserve" is different, as I saw bottles of this at the class 6 on the shelf along with Jim Beam Black. I was once told that it was a special bottling for military bases and duty free shops. But, I saw it in a civilian liquor store which blows that theory.

[T Comp]

The Black label "Reserve" is different, as I saw bottles of this at the class 6 on the shelf along with Jim Beam Black. I was once told that it was a special bottling for military bases and duty free shops. But, I saw it in a civilian liquor store which blows that theory.

Not in lllinois it wouldn't. I know of three stores that at different times had Japanese export bottles sitting on their shelf. I've tried to find out how but mums the word. One of my biggest mistakes was leaving some WT 12 behind at one. Can't help you with the "Reserve"...never seen it.

[tommyboy38]

I've seen an older bottling of Jim Beam black that was 7/90 before it changed to 8/86.

Why would anyone leave WT12 behind?????

[clingman71]

I wish I had a pic of the bottle. I tried Google to no avail.

[T Comp]

Why would anyone leave WT12 behind?????

It was the end of a long day of hunting and other purchases and I was low on cash in a cash only store. I had enough money left for two age stated 8 year 101's at $16 each but not enough for the lonely 12 at $40. They wouldn't do layaway :shocked: . And of course it was gone by the next weekend.

[Enoch]

It's funny you posted this. I found a case of 200ml Jim Beam Seven years Old today and was wondering about it. I bought 6 to try. I would love any info about it. It has 91 on the bottle. A pic is attached. I can say it does not taste anything like any other Beam bourbon. Hot, peppery. Just tasted it side by side with Basil Hayden and they are very close. This bourbon has a very high rye content.

[Enoch]

I've seen an older bottling of Jim Beam black that was 7/90 before it changed to 8/86.

Why would anyone leave WT12 behind?????

I have several bottles of "Beam's Black Label" 101 months and 90 proof and it is great.

[T Comp]

I have several bottles of "Beam's Black Label" 101 months and 90 proof and it is great.

I had 2 pre-metric pints of Beam's Sour Mash Black Label from the late '70s with the above specs and I agree it was great. I found my tasting notes and thought it very dissimilar to the current Black Label with it being much heavier, intense, dark and rich tasting. The anise flavor was more pronounced as a candied black licorice. The yeast flavor of all Beams was more similar of a multi grain sour dough rather than the usual pizza dough type. There were complex tastes of corn, brown sugar-molasses and caramel. The rye was assertive with a definite zing on the back of the tongue. There was also that distinct rummy flavor in the background which is in many dusties.

Dusty Old Forester, Wild Turkey, Old Grand Dad and Wild Turkey are different from modern versions but you can still detect the lineage but here you suspect they don't even have the same DNA.

[clingman71]

It's funny you posted this. I found a case of 200ml Jim Beam Seven years Old today and was wondering about it. I bought 6 to try. I would love any info about it. It has 91 on the bottle. A pic is attached. I can say it does not taste anything like any other Beam bourbon. Hot, peppery. Just tasted it side by side with Basil Hayden and they are very close. This bourbon has a very high rye content.

This label is very similar. The bottles I had said "reserve" between the Jim Beam and the seven years old. They were 750ml bottles and were $7.10 at the class six in the early to mid 90's, JB white was $6.85 when I left Ft Polk in '93. I bought it as late as '95. I should clarify, I'm not certain that every bottle said "reserve", but I found an empty in some junk boxes not all that long ago and it did say"reserve". I never saw the smaller size, interesting. Thanks for the pic. I would love to find one of these if only for a trip down memory lane.

[Enoch]

This label is very similar. The bottles I had said "reserve" between the Jim Beam and the seven years old. They were 750ml bottles and were $7.10 at the class six in the early to mid 90's, JB white was $6.85 when I left Ft Polk in '93. I bought it as late as '95. I should clarify, I'm not certain that every bottle said "reserve", but I found an empty in some junk boxes not all that long ago and it did say"reserve". I never saw the smaller size, interesting. Thanks for the pic. I would love to find one of these if only for a trip down memory lane.

This bottle does say "Reserve #24-11" under the "Seven Year Old" on the back label. I'll bring some to the Sampler if anyone is interested.

[tommyboy38]

I found my tasting notes and thought it very dissimilar to the current Black Label with it being much heavier, intense, dark and rich tasting. The anise flavor was more pronounced as a candied black licorice. The yeast flavor of all Beams was more similar of a multi grain sour dough rather than the usual pizza dough type. There were complex tastes of corn, brown sugar-molasses and caramel. The rye was assertive with a definite zing on the back of the tongue. There was also that distinct rummy flavor in the background which is in many dusties.

Tcomp, always enjoy your tasting notes!

[rocky480]

Is the JB Reserve 750ml bottle you're talking about a square bottle with a ridged neck? The bottle had an extra sticker for the batch # or something like that?

If this is the one you're talking about, it was my first bourbon outside of JBW that I tried, and I have very good memories of it. While dusty hunting, I found a store that had a couple of bottles of this on the shelf, so I'm thinking I'll have to go back and get one or two (particularly given the tasting notes since when I had this it was 1994 and I was in my first year of college and not exactly drinking bourbon for the same reasons I do today!).

[clingman71]

Is the JB Reserve 750ml bottle you're talking about a square bottle with a ridged neck? The bottle had an extra sticker for the batch # or something like that?

If this is the one you're talking about, it was my first bourbon outside of JBW that I tried, and I have very good memories of it. While dusty hunting, I found a store that had a couple of bottles of this on the shelf, so I'm thinking I'll have to go back and get one or two (particularly given the tasting notes since when I had this it was 1994 and I was in my first year of college and not exactly drinking bourbon for the same reasons I do today!).

Yes, the bottle had small vertical ridges up the neck. I don't remember if there was a batch #sticker or not.

[B.B. Babington]

... but not enough for the lonely 12 at $40. They wouldn't do layaway ....

ack! I feel for ya.