BOTM 6/14: Jim Beam White

[miller542]

What I love about JBW is that ....its always consistant.

Which is what they're going for. There is something to be said for a company that can make as much as they do and make every bottle the same.

I'd consider JBW my gateway bourbon and one I come back to occassionally as a mixer. Just finished off a bottle right before this BOTM. This most recent bottle has confirmed for me I've grown past JBW. I like the "beam funk" but its just too much in JBW, in addition to cheaper, better tasting options when I'm looking for a bourbon to mix.

Edited June 3, 2014 by miller542

[upStomp]

When glancing down that section of the aisle, I stop at YL or Benchmark. JBW is never an option. If I can't drink it neat I don't want it in my stash - and to my palate its only purpose is as a mixer.

[squire]

I can drink it neat but I don't know if that says something about JBW or me.

[Brisko]

I bought a bottle recently and my impressions are:

not as good as in 1995 (college)

way better than 2008 (last bottle I bought)

way better than Beam's Choice green label

not nearly good enough to keep in stock.

[squire]

We really are spoiled when we can say something of the consistent quality of Beam White isn't worth bothering with.

[Harry in WashDC]

[shades of drinking Old Crow & Diet Coke with my Dad when I got home from the Army.]

Wasn't going to buy any as I figured I wouldn't like it. After reading the first 15 or so posts, I purchased a 200ml PET bottle at a VA ABC store. I tried my best to review it honestly. [Aside: meaning I kept in mind what Thumper the Bunny says in 'Bambi' - "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."]

JBW, measuring cup, and tasting glass were all at room temperature (about 71 degrees F). Diet Coke was in a SteaknShake Styrofoam cup with ice and had been in there about an hour (was driving home to try this tasting and stopped to wet my whistle).

Color: medium amber maple syrup (Vermont grading)

Nose on opening: after several attempts, I finally stuck my nose ON the bottle to get something other than faint alcohol bloom; closest I could come to identifying the aroma was boiled peas in a light maple syrup sauce.

5 minutes later: peas were absent.

poured 1 oz. into a tasting glass - faint cigarette butt with maple syrup.

First taste: warm alcohol spirit, slight acetone comes and goes, no maple syrup.

waited five minutes for 2nd taste - the maple syrup smell is back [Aside: by maple syrup, I do NOT mean either the wonderful candy apple in BT or the (to me) Karo syrup plus corn oil I find in some KBD products that some of you all like a lot (so I didn't name them although they are taking up space on my shelves). I then tasted: the alcohol burn was still there with some other flavor that was so faint I couldn't identify it.

Throughout this, the glass had nice legs.

Finish - some tingly tongue but no holdover flavor of anything.

NEXT: I added the previously described Diet Coke (with ice already melted in it) in a ratio 1:1. The result was so smooth I could drink this all day or until I fell over. Further, I could chug it, mix it without regard to proportions, and serve it to ANYbody who is not averse to alcohol (like those kids who drink flavored malt liquors) without feeling guilty. INDEED, doing this taste test did bring back floods of memories (mostly good ones) of drinking Old Crow & Diet Coke with my Dad, ordering countless bourbon and Cokes while dating (before I discovered bourbon & ginger but that was many years later), and late night study sessions when we needed something to (a) take the edge off, ( help us sleep, © wet our whistles without upchucking, (d) hide the alcohol burn and smell of acetone.

IN SUM: I love that it comes in a PET bottle that won't cut me if I fall down. I also was reminded why it is so popular - it'll mix with anything (even water and ice as pointed out just above this post) and, if you do drink it neat, it burns just enough to let you know that it is actually a straight bourbon and not some caramel colored, blended "whisky" like Seagrams Seven has become. In fact, do a side-by-side with Seagrams Seven and then ask yourself, "If I had to drink one, which one would I drink?" No contest. This is a versatile, inexpensive, entry-level straight bourbon perfect for those who are moving from flavored malt liquors and flavored vodkas to bourbon.

[smknjoe]

It's what made me decide I liked bourbon better than any other liquor. It's a perfectly acceptable starting point and "stand-in" if need be. Great for mixing and for those who don't like strong drinks (as in flavor and ABV.) I almost always have a bottle in the bar.

[woosterbill]

I last had it at my cousin's wedding, as it was the only Bourbon available. I only had one, and promptly switched to wine. And I don't consider myself a wine drinker in the least.

[dSculptor]

I like JBW.. for years I drank this stuff as a mixer,(now, rarely do I have mixers)a bit too harsh neat, but with a cube..it works,still my go to when out at restaurant that doesn't have a good selection,I will still always take this over JD. Now the new SB that is out that's a different animal..very smooth, and the 7 yr. is much better neat also.

[Harry in WashDC]

I saw the 7yr on the shelf but passed. I do like JBB neat when I feel like having a pleasant, uncomplicated taste of something bourbon under 100 proof (hot days, early afternoon, etc.). Going to have to try the 7; don't recall ever tasting it. That said, I much prefer OGDBIB for flavor and price, so as long as it or JBB are readily available, my 200ml of JBW likely will last quite awhile. Or at least until someone new to bourbon says, "What should I start with?" in which case it'll be one of several tastes I set up.

[Quintilian]

JBW is what it is, a basic mixer that needs more time in the bottle. I'm always a fan of a bargain bourbon, but JBW ain't it. It doesn't compare favorably to Wild Turkey 81 or Very Old Barton 90 proof. Heck, I think I think Evan Wms. Black is a better choice. In these here parts, I can pick up Weller Special Reserve for $20, which isn't that much more than what I'd have to pay for JBW. So I'm sticking with Wild Turkey or VOB 90 (when I can find the latter).

[Quintilian]

I agree about taking JBW over JD. JD is so dang sweet.

[ethangsmith]

We really are spoiled when we can say something of the consistent quality of Beam White isn't worth bothering with.

[mrt]

I like JBW. I enjoy neat, on the rocks or mixed with ginger ale and I find all three ok.

I have better choices, though relatively limited here, but I always keep a bottle of this.

By the way, I also agree with the comments praising JBW for making every bottle the same everytime.

Previously, JBW was a mostly scorned at stuff here on SB as far as I remember. I recall having read terms like "yuck", etc.,

which were surprising for me. That said, I only drink on occasion and have full respect on expert views, however reading sth positive

about the stuff I enjoy is better:)

[kcgumbohead]

Not a fan. Have done several SBS with JD/JBW/EWB. The JBW also paints a swath of unpleasant ( to my taste) flavor down the center of my tongue that latches on and stays there. Many have referred to the "Beam funk" if that is what that is. I still detect it in JBB ( among other Beam products) but it is in the distant background so I can drink it. That presence is so strong in the JBW that I have sworn it off for good. That said it IS a testament to Beams manufacturing consistency that this flavor profile is such a constant, clearly this is what they intend it to taste like and as it has many fans I say GOOD JOB!! it simply is not to my taste. I also appreciate it for having helped define what is not to my taste.

[Gillman]

I agree with Ethan that it is not correct to describe it as a whiskey unworthy of attention, but considering its position in the market, it should be a lot better, IMO. That funky taste appears in all Beam expressions and OGD too. Less so in Knob Creek, but it is usually strong in the white label and black, Baker's too. I just bought a Jim Beam White Label Single Barrel, which the label states is drawn from 1% of the JB barrels, and there it is again, that taste (if anything stronger than in the regular white label). I just don't get it especially as numerous Gazebo tastings of decanter Beams over the years didn't have that taste, or Beam's Choice in the round bottle, say from the early 80's. I do admire the company's consistency though, yes. But it is consistently uninspiring, IMO.

Gary

[TunnelTiger]

As much of this as they sell and the general tasting's of SB members me thinks our taste my differ from the general bourbon buying public.

[Gillman]

Well, that's a good question. Jim Beam is probably generally mixed with Coke or another soda, so in that form, the "neat" flavor is quite altered. Same thing with Jack Daniel (although I like the taste neat, it took me some years to "get it"). Advertising is a powerful explanation though. It sells high-adjunct beers like Bud and Coors, and mass market this and that.

Gary

[squire]

Yes, well if I thought 90% or more of my customers would be using my brand as a mixer that's how I would shape the profile.

[Jackinbox]

That funky taste appears in all Beam expressions and OGD too. Less so in Knob Creek, but it is usually strong in the white label and black, Baker's too. I just bought a Jim Beam White Label Single Barrel, which the label states is drawn from 1% of the JB barrels, and there it is again, that taste (if anything stronger than in the regular white label). I just don't get it especially as numerous Gazebo tastings of decanter Beams over the years didn't have that taste, or Beam's Choice in the round bottle, say from the early 80's. I do admire the company's consistency though, yes. But it is consistently uninspiring, IMO.

Gary

I was always under the impression that it was the Beam yeast causing that. But if you're tasting it in OGD, then it's coming from somewhere else in the process. I've personally never noticed it in any of the OGD expressions, my palate isn't nearly as experienced as yours.

[TunnelTiger]

I never noticed it in any of the OGD offereings but then no doubt my palate isn't as expereinced either and for than I'm grateful because I really, really enjoy OGD.

If all the bourbon I had to drink was JB I'd probably go back to scotch full time. (shudder)

[squire]

I don't find that in Old Grand Dad either but perhaps I'm conditioned to it by now.

[Dannabis]

Phew... I should get a bottle of this to round out my experiences... still reluctant. I usually end up with anything from HH.

[ebo]

I never noticed the "funk" in OGD or KC. I'm not a fan of the White Label at all but, I do like the Black Label occasionally. I guess the "funk" doesn't bother me like it does some here.

[WhiskyRI]

While it is no longer my first choice, I have plenty of others I prefer to drink, but JBW tastes like bourbon to me because it was my first bourbon. I snuck tastes of it from the decanters my parents bought when I was too young to legally acquire it on my own. I have to say I always have a bottle of JBW around, usually to cook with or make eggnog with. And a JBW and ginger on the rocks on a summer is easy drinkin'. It wouldn't be my desert island bourbon but it's an honest bourbon that doesn't pretend to be something it isn't - a quality which seems to be becoming rarer and rarer these days.