Is Jim Beam Black going NAS?

[sku]

Beam cleared a new label for Jim Beam Black XA (Extra Aged) with no age statement.

https://www.ttbonline.gov/colasonline/viewColaDetails.do?action=publicFormDisplay&ttbid=14195001000184

No telling if this will join the current 8 year old or replace it. Of course, as with all label clearances, it could also be a limited release or something they don't end up bottling at all, but I thought it was interesting.

[Harry in WashDC]

I noticed that this COLA in the approval box contains "EACH CONTAINER MUST BE CODED TO INDICATE ACTUAL PLACE OF BOTTLING." I don't think I've seen it before but admit I don't visit the COLAs all that often. I did a peruse of some older (mid-2013) COLAs for straight whiskey (Codes 101 through 103) and found that they did not include this statement. Maybe TTB should amend this one to include "AND THE ACTUAL PLACE OF DISTILLATION".

Or, I could be confused on a Saturday morning about why the TTB added the admonishment.

[393foureyedfox]

its still 86 proof, so i still wont be buying it

not to knock Beam, but I just dont like their stuff (or anyone elses for that matter) below 100 proof and 7ish years. You can pour me some KC, KCSB, Bookers or Bakers all day though

Edited August 30, 2014 by 393foureyedfox

[squire]

My reading glasses can't decipher code. As for the label I don't think we'll see special editions in 1.75 bottles and "Extra Aged" means one year past three in Beamspeak.

[sku]

I'm not a fan of Beam Black either, but Beam was always the company that seemed to have plenty of aged bourbon on hand. If this is, indeed, a switch to an NAS, it means that the bourbon demand is outstripping even mighty Beam, which is saying something.

[JKLS]

This looks like a replacement to current 8yo to me. This might not be a limited release, and Beam may have plenty of aged stock (plus is Beam Black that big of a seller?) but maybe they are dropping the age statement on the Black so they can save age stated older stock for Craft Signature use.

[Phil T]

Aren't they supposed to have 1.5 million barrels aging? ?

Anyway, there is no proof, yet, that the double aged is now the xtra aged

[brettckeen]

It's a shame because it was a good value brand for a lot of people and something easy to recommend to people new to bourbon. I do remember from Basil Hayden's Age statement drop, that the change only took a week, and flavor was immediately different. (Suggesting to me that the bottles were filled and labels printed waiting on approval)

[squire]

It portends nothing good.

[zillah]

I'll buy one for the bunker. It was a good value.

[393foureyedfox]

I'm not a fan of Beam Black either, but Beam was always the company that seemed to have plenty of aged bourbon on hand. If this is, indeed, a switch to an NAS, it means that the bourbon demand is outstripping even mighty Beam, which is saying something.

[Josh]

I won't exactly be stockpiling it, but I did enjoy it from time to time. It's a shame to see another age statement bite the dust (assuming that's what's going to happen) but at least they're not calling it Old No. 8.

[squire]

Yeah, that might get confused with Benchmark.

[cowdery]

Isn't there already an NAS Beam Black in non-U.S. distribution?

Beam has gotten a lot of labels approved over the years that they've never used. The 8-year-old Beam Black is a really key product in their portfolio and I can't imagine why they would change it, but many are the things I can't imagine that come true.

[HP12]

I won't exactly be stockpiling it, but I did enjoy it from time to time. It's a shame to see another age statement bite the dust (assuming that's what's going to happen) but at least they're not calling it Old No. 8.

Agree. It's a good pour for certain moods. I particularly like introducing JB Black to folks new to bourbon. It's a nice gateway bourbon and has turned many newbs into bourbon followers.

[holdtheice]

Isn't there already an NAS Beam Black in non-U.S. distribution?

Currently here in Australia, JBB is 6 years old and 80 proof. I seem to recall it carrying a 6 year age statement and being bottled at 43% the first and only time I purchased a bottle maybe five or so years back.

Edited August 31, 2014 by holdtheice

[Mr. Bourbon]

Currently here in Australia, JBB is 6 years old and 80 proof. I seem to recall it carrying a 6 year age statement and being bottled at 43% the first and only time I purchased a bottle maybe five or so years back.

Here in Canada we only get the 6 year too, Not the 8 year. And I believe the 6 year version is also 86proof, Not 80.

The 6 year is pretty good for it's price. It's like the Devils Cut except less woody and a little more mild. I much prefer the regular 6 year to the Devils Cut. All I can smell from devils cut is a big whiff of Alcohol.

[cowdery]

I have confirmation from official sources at Beam. Jim Beam black label is losing its age statement. Its 'double aged' claim with morph into 'extra aged.'

Another one bites the dust.

[squire]

crap ....................

[smokinjoe]

I have confirmation from official sources at Beam. Jim Beam black label is losing its age statement. Its 'double aged' claim with morph into 'extra aged.'

Another one bites the dust.

Thanks for the confirmation, Chuck. Can you check to see if they will be keeping the 7yr White Label? Honestly, I liked it more than the Black.

[cowdery]

That probably won't change, or it might disappear altogether. It's not widely distributed.

[flahute]

I have never once seen the 7yr white label. Didn't even know it existed.

[Jackinbox]

I have never once seen the 7yr white label. Didn't even know it existed.

It's way overpriced (at least around here). I think the 750s run around $32 at the store I go to. At 80 proof, it just hasn't been worth it for me to try.

[Clavius]

I think Beam Black is pretty decent stuff.

But honestly I'm not surprised this has happened. The stuff hardly moves at the store I work at. Of course, this could just be a regional/location thing. I just wonder how well Beam Black does for Beam in the macro sense.

[smokinjoe]

I have never once seen the 7yr white label. Didn't even know it existed.

You may have seen it, but overlooked it, because it is hard to distinguish the labeling from regular Beam white. There is a tiny 7 yr age statement on it, and I think the cap color is different, bit that's about it. I prefer it to Black due to its juicier flavor. The Black can be dryish and sooty to me, at times. The 7 is very full and sweetish. I also prefer the overall mouthfeel of the 7yr, as well. Very round and oily. It is 6 proof points lower than the Black, if you're tuned enough to distinguish such things.