new Beam Single Barrel

[weller_tex]

Really looking forward to the new Beam Single Barrel. Chuck just wrote that it should be out in March. I really like the new Beam 12 year..a whole lot of flavor considering it is bottled at 86 proof..really nice sippin' whiskey. I understand the new Single Barrel will be 95 proof. I love the liquid nutty candy bar aspects of Booker's, Baker's, so am expecting something similar with the new Single Barrel.

[suntour]

I was going to start a similar thread as well!

I am definitely a JB apologist and enjoy many of their products, though I will say white label is one of my least favorite bourbons. I too am excited about this one.

Seems that this would be a difficult undertaking in some ways though for Beam. Are the barrels going to be numbered? Should we expect wild variation between bottles? Are the barrels chosen supposed to represent some platonic ideal of what white label should or could be? Time will tell. I'll definitely be in for a bottle to find out.

[squire]

I think the ideal being pursued here is maximum profit by offering an NAS 95 proofer at a premium price simply by bottling it a barrel at a time.

[393foureyedfox]

id like to know more....where'd you guys read about this?

[HighInTheMtns]

id like to know more....where'd you guys read about this?

[squire]

Fox it's on the news.

Jim I don't see an age statement but unfortunately can't get the image to copy.

[JohnHansell]

My sample bottle makes no mention of an age statement, only the proof (95), the date the sample was bottled, and the "KY-230." The press release image I got with the sample is also NAS, listing only the barrel no. and bottling date on the label.

[suntour]

Care to share your thoughts on it if you've tried it?

[393foureyedfox]

interesting. I'll buy one as soon as i see it. They're talking March for a release, right?

[zillah]

I'll buy it but I am not expecting much. Maybe Fred Noe really will pick out some honey barrels.

I liked the 12 for what its worth but I wanted much more from it (higher proof and ncf) for the price I paid.

[MyOldKyDram]

Agreed on the 12, although Ive killed that bottle and will likely buy more. Sure ill grab one of these 1Bs when I see it.

[JohnHansell]

Care to share your thoughts on it if you've tried it?

Good, not great. I would put it somewhere between the standard JB and the 12, but closer to the 12. What I would really like to see is the 12 at higher proof.

Edited January 4, 2014 by JohnHansell

[MyOldKyDram]

What's the price point on this one, John?

[smknjoe]

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/

[MyOldKyDram]

Cool thankee sir.

[squire]

A comment was made in relation to the press releases that the 95 proof was chosen to honor Jacob Beam who began distilling in 1795. I would've preferred a statement that 95 proof was chosen because it best reflected the flavor profile goals for the brand.

Edited January 4, 2014 by squire

[MyOldKyDram]

Would've been a nice sentiment, but the proof isn't a deterrent for me as the 12 yr is a nice pour at 86 pf. Hell, I wish every 1B was bottled at cask strength but again, I'm inclined to give this a go at $35.

[squire]

I don't object to the proof, just wish they would skip the stories and be more disclosive about the whisky. Items such as is the proof off the still the same for SB as the regular Beam white. Oh well, at least they didn't dress it up in an expensive package.

[smokinjoe]

I understand your angst from an enthusiasts standpoint Squire, but these whisky producers aren't concerned with including all of the details that we would like to see on their labels. Nor should they, IMO. Sure, it would be nice, but we're much more savvy consumers of bourbon than most. Fact is 99% of the population who buys these really couldn't give a flip. Us 1%ers have the means to find out this info, will find out this info, and will report that info, here. It's what makes us who we are...

[squire]

Why not include information? What have they got to hide?

[mbroo5880i]

Someone on Chuck's blog raised the question of how this will compare to KCSB. I understand that the proof will be different and possibly age. I guess the question is whether they will be competing for the same market?

[squire]

Knob Creek is 9 years, 120 proof and cost $40.00. The new Beam SB is NAS, 95 proof and cost $35.00.

[mbroo5880i]

While slightly more expensive, wouldn't the KCSB be a better deal? The new JB SB would be a better deal at 100 or 110, maybe. I guess a follow up question is "will the brands be competing?" I would say they are in the same price range, will the new product be a more compelling buy, especially since I know more about the KCSB and can add my own water if I want to.

In reading Chuck's blog, I am trying to figure out where the best barrels are going...to KCSB or JBSB or will they be similar barrels. Obviously, JBSB can be younger whiskey.

[callmeox]

If you like the way it tastes at 95 proof, then it is a good deal.

I don't understand all of the proof/cost sliding scale hand wringing. I'm all for the Stagg and Weller BTAC 'bourbon concentrate' concept, but it's not a requirement.

What if turns out to be the OGD mashbill in SB form? (I didn't read any blogs on it, so forgive me if that has been revealed)

Here's another thought. In an old blog post (or SB post) Chuck said that Beam was starting to create each of the Small Batch collection to varying specs (proof off the still and barreling proof), so labels with the same mashbill will have some uniqueness. What if this is a result of that tinkering and they found a combination that works well as a single barrel with a mid-90's proof?

[squire]

I expect Beam is testing waters here. This new SB will show whether customers actually care about age statements, high proof, bottled in bond, or whether the words single barrel carry enough weight to find a market share.