Is Jim Beam Black going NAS?

[bad_scientist]

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.

That's what I'm wondering, as well. It seems plausible that the switch to NAS is just to change the flavor profile, not to reallocate old stock. Maybe they figure that the low-proof Beam profile is better at a younger age.

[Mr. Bourbon]

I am guessing the "extra age statement" Is for USA only. Here in Canada it will probably continue to be the 6year black label.

Which is 86proof.

http://www.jimbeam.com/black/about-jim-beam-black

Edited September 6, 2014 by Mr. Bourbon

[sutton]

Bought a 1L today at $31 for posterity ... this joins AAA 10 yr, Old Heaven Hill 8 y.o., BH 8y, and a couple of others that gave me a dusty bunker without tryin'...

Just keep buying the age stated stuff ... you'll have a dusty bunker before you know it.

[sku]

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.

This is pretty shocking. Who knows what will be next...

[HP12]

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.

Who would have thought I'd consider bunkering Beam Black "Double Aged"! Thx for the intel.

[smokinjoe]

Guessing this move could give the flexibility to help keep the Knob Creek pipeline full.

I don't look at these things cynically. Rather, I admire the juggling these distilleries attempt to execute, to keep a number of areas "happy"...both, internal and external.

[squire]

Who knows what will be next...

Oh we'll think of something say the distillers skipping merrily down the path on their way to the bank.

[petrel800]

Well it's about time they ditch the 8 yr statement. I mean Mila "what's her boobs" in the commercial already points out the obvious that their aging the normal stuff twice as long as they have to so you know it's good. 8 yrs is just overkill.

(Sarcasm off)

Always bad to see an age statement go, but I don't drink much JBB, so it doesn't affect me much. I did notice at Costco the Kirklands stuff is up about 2 dollars a liter. I wonder if this product will ever be affected. I've always found it a deal for a 7 year bourbon.

[T Comp]

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.

That's what I'm wondering, as well. It seems plausible that the switch to NAS is just to change the flavor profile, not to reallocate old stock. Maybe they figure that the low-proof Beam profile is better at a younger age.

Maybe others that actually sell it can pipe in but spending enough time gazing at retail shelves, it sure seems to be a slow mover here too. As to why the change, I'm between smokinjoe's and squire's view. Haven't tasted it in a few years but it always seemed for me, the Bourbon that came closest to being able to pass as an Irish Whiskey.

[Paddy]

I don't care what they do as long as they leave OGD 114, KCSB and Booker's alone. :skep:

They're probably counting on all of us to feel the same.

[justataste]

Hey Paddy, I'm with you on those!

[ethangsmith]

As disappointed as I am in the loss of another age statement, I can see why this is being done. Let's face it, we wanted Beam to diversify their portfolio a bit and we did get it- The new single barrel, the Signature Craft stuff, etc. Now we get to reap some of the downsides of it- the loss of some age statements. I trust Beam, who is generally regarded as one of the best for keeping a consistent flavor profile, to keep the profile of the Beam Black the same. And hey, at least they didn't call it Beam 8 or No. 8 or something stupid like that. I'll still keep a bottle on the shelf.

[squire]

To their credit no, they didn't pull a Barton.

[mbroo5880i]

To their credit no, they didn't pull a Barton.

Right, everything is up front. One local retailer has been advertising that the age statement is going way so now is the time to buy it. This retailer caters to the bourbon enthusiast.

[393foureyedfox]

I don't care what they do as long as they leave OGD 114, KCSB and Booker's alone. :skep:

They're probably counting on all of us to feel the same.

yip. wouldnt bother me a bit if JBB and JBW went away totally if it kept those others on the shelf.

[MauiSon]

I'll still keep a bottle on the shelf.

Me too, but always an 8yo bottle - I have enough for visitors to enjoy for a very long time.

[cowdery]

Beam has had the product for a long time. It used to be 'Beam's Black.' It is probably the most fiddled-with brand in history. I was involved in some of that tweaking and that was more than 20 years ago. I suspect it has never lived up to their expectations. Maybe now that the line is so large, they don't necessarily want Black to the right of White on the shelf like they have always done. I've heard they're going to put more emphasis on Devil's Cut, but that's not official.

[thebwood]

Chuck, any indication when they are officially making the switch? I'm unclear as to how quickly these sort of things happen.

Quite frankly, I don't understand keeping the line around at all if they drop the 8 year age statement. What role does the product legitimately play? I guess the point is to imply that this is semi-premium product, and hope people keep buying it based on it being a "step up."

[squire]

Even at NAS it is a step up in proof, perhaps that means something in overseas markets.

[dcbt]

JBB would seem to be a direct competitor of EW1783 now.

[squire]

It seems to be gradually sliding down to the niche occupied by green label Beams Choice which itself was at one time sold at 8 years old and 100 proof.

[Jackinbox]

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.

[Mr. Bourbon]

I wonder if the exported JBB will have no age statement now? We can only get the 6year in Canada and it shows that it is 6 years on the front of the bottle. Going to pick one up near the end of September.

[smokinjoe]

I had a bourbon geek moment earlier today when I came across a family sized Beam Black 8 yr...Hmm'd and Haw'd, rubbed my chin a bit, grimaced about my face in deep thinkin'...and finally passed on it. . I may finally be growing up...

[suntour]

Haha, I did the same. Never liked it all that well, why do I need a stockpile of it.