When did JBW change to four years old?

[emr454]

I apologize if this has been covered already but my search turned up nothing. Anyways, I had my last pour of JBW about 4 years ago. I bought a 200ml botle for a few bucks and noticed it stated on the back label that it was thirty-six months old. As unexciting as it was, I never gave it much thought since then, until the other day I looked at a bottle at the liquor store just for giggles and now it says it's aged a full 4 years. When did Beam make this change? I'll admit I don't keep up on every piece of bourbon news out there, but I think I would have noticed this one if it was published.

Eric

[Sijan]

I wouldn't swear that it has *always* been four years old by any means, but I don't think this was a recent development. You may be misremembering or perhaps got it confused with Old Crow?

[squire]

Jim Beam White was 7 years old when I first began buying it and the age has decreased over the years to 4 at present.

[Sijan]

Interesting. I'd be curious if JBW from back then tastes like Jim Beam Black today...

[barturtle]

In Kentucky for years you have been able to buy both 4 year old (or NAS) and 7 year old Beam White. I've not looked recently to see if both still exist.

[squire]

When it was introduced the Black was designed to be a step up from the White (older, higher proof) with a richer, fuller flavor so I wouldn't say the White has ever shared a similar taste profile with the Black.

[Yeti]

The 7 year white is still in KY. It has a red cap, or a red label near the cap. Something along those lines to distinguish it.

[emr454]

Hmm, I swear it was a JBW bottle that said 36 months old. It definitely wasn't Old Crow. Could be faulty memory, wouldn't be the first time.

Eric

[tmckenzie]

not hardly, all of beams bourbon are way different than they used to be. I have some JBW from 79, beats anything on the market they have today.

[squire]

Yes, the 7 year old on the market today is not a continuation of the original line, rather it's just another 80 proofer with a bit more age on it.

[bad_scientist]

not hardly, all of beams bourbon are way different than they used to be. I have some JBW from 79, beats anything on the market they have today.

Tom, what do you think of Beam's 1980s stuff, compared to the '70s? Do you like any of the current Beam offerings?