Is Jim Beam Black going NAS?

[squire]

Twenty five years ago I said the same thing about a number of brands that I can't lay hands on today.

[Harry in WashDC]

Thought about this overnight after my original post got timed out last night, and I lost interest in retyping (which in itself says something). That gave me a chance to go have some KC to refresh my recollection.

Locally (around WashDC), JBB is 8yr 86 proof about $25 per 750, DCut is 6yr 90 proof about $27 per 750, and KC is 9yr 100 Proof and $35. IF JB is thinking of taking JBB NAS, I may not buy it again. I like it on occasion, but it's not a NEED like OGB BIB (or even HMcKBIB) which are a lot cheaper or BT (NAS and 90 proof @ $26). Plus, it's sort of a step up, for newbies who ask me, from EWB which is NAS (but at least 4 yrs) and 86 proof but is about $13.50 per 750 and is already my standard bourbon mixer for cocktails for newbies. In short, dropping the age statement drops one more Beam product from my on-hand stock. That frees up shelf space and dollars. I don't think it'll move to KC. It's OK, but for half the price, OGDBIB looks pretty good. (LOVE that orange cap - can find it no matter how dark it is.)

[mbroo5880i]

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...

Or did you just realize that JBB 8-Year is nothing special, even if the age statement is going away? :grin:

[smokinjoe]

Or did you just realize that JBB 8-Year is nothing special, even if the age statement is going away? :grin:

Take a look at post #25 on this thread...

[squire]

You guys pay a lot for JBB. Around here it's a little less than Old Forester Signature.

[393foureyedfox]

You guys pay a lot for JBB. Around here it's a little less than Old Forester Signature.

KC is $26 here, no need to even look at JB-named labels.

[squire]

Yeah but you live in the land of plenty.

[Ravensfire]

Yeah but you live in the land of plenty.

And he said, "Oh! Do you come from a land down under"

(bonus points to the children of the 80's who immediately recognized that song)

[flahute]

And he said, "Oh! Do you come from a land down under"

(bonus points to the children of the 80's who immediately recognized that song)

I am one of those and do recognize that one.

[Mr. Bourbon]

Not really sure why people care so much about an age statement on the front of a bottle, A higher number doesn't necessarily mean its going to taste better.

Different Bourbons for different people. Lots of great Bourbons out there with no age statement.

"Oh it has no number on it, I guess I won't buy it, it will probably taste bad".

[MyOldKyDram]

Probably bc they never retain the same profile when they drop the age statement? And prob bc it will taste worse?

[squire]

Because the producers made age statements important. When properly stored, Bourbon aged in a new charred oak barrel reaches maturity between 6-8 years. Fifty years ago (or even 100 for that matter) producers labeled their best 8 years old and 100 proof. The same producers would have lower cost lines of 7 year 90 proof or 6 year 86 proof under the same or other labels. So standards were established which are as valid today as when they were first founded.

I don't think age matters beyond maturity but removing or reducing an age statement always means a lowering of standards.

[cowdery]

We all hate change and hate to have a benefit taken away, as most enthusiasts would rather see age statements than not and consider them a benefit.

On the other hand, it's good that demand for bourbon is so strong. Although a strong whiskey business may seem like a bad thing somethmes it is, overall, a very good thing for people who love whiskey.

The King is dead, long live the King.

[Harry in WashDC]

Agree w/ Chuck. The occasional shortage of my regulars has caused me to try some alternatives to tide me over. This has led to some happy surprises. Without the changes, my lazy self likely would have continued to pick up a limited selection of old and comfortables. I'd have been content but never excited. Yeah, some clunkers, but five years ago, I wouldn't even have considered picking up, say, a Bernheim or a 4RSmB. Now, I always have at least one of each open. Also, all the one-offs and Potemkins that popped up caused me to actually try to learn about what I was drinking - like separating the wheat from the rye or puff from specs. My buying habits have changed, too. I now stockpile more than I used to. In sum, the changes have made me a more knowledgeable consumer and have increased my appreciation of American whiskeys.

[Mr. Bourbon]

I am picking up some Jim Beam Black 6 year later this week, I wonder if that will get the age statement removed also.

[squire]

Yep, word is it will.

[Mr. Bourbon]

Yep, word is it will.

[Grain Belt]

It may sound trite or cliché or whatever, but what bothers me when an age statement goes away is that the "good stuff" is going to get rebranded and priced out of my modest league. I know all the "if you can't run with the big dogs" sentiments but when I look at my middle class bank account I know I am a little dog. I have never drank a drop of booze to impress anyone. I just love to enjoy the best food and drink I can afford that suits my palate. I was fortunate to order some low priced bourbons to MN a few years back and loved AAA 10, OC 10, and HHBIB6. Two of those babies are gone and the last is limited to a few states. Thank God MN now as EWBIB Beam Black is a nice pour I can afford. Are there better? Sure. But I always have kept a bottle in rotation for about 15 years. It makes a damn nice Manhatan for crowds that can't handle 100 proof. If the taste degrades and the price stays the same or goes up, this working man is moving on.

[squire]

I'm on record (or at least I've posted it often enough) as saying in blind tastings I've seen mid shelf Bourbons equal or exceed higher priced stuff often enough to convince me that for most palate(s) the differences matter very little.

That's not to say Jim or Evan are equal to Parkers Heritage or Four Roses LEs, but in the under $50 category competition is very stiff.

[Mr. Bourbon]

I emailed Beam to find out. Here is the answer for the 6 year.

"I read and heard that Jim Beam Black will be losing the 8 year label and will be replaced no a no age statement label, Will this also include the exported 6 year Jim Beam black here in Canada?

"Hi, Darin -Thanks for the message and great question. Jim Beam Black will keep the same 6 year label in Canada.

Matthew,"

[squire]

Classic answering a question that wasn't asked.

[Mr. Bourbon]

I just wanted to know about the 6 year version as I am not able to get my hands on the 8 year.

[oke&coke]

I emailed Beam to find out. Here is the answer for the 6 year.

"I read and heard that Jim Beam Black will be losing the 8 year label and will be replaced no a no age statement label, Will this also include the exported 6 year Jim Beam black here in Canada?

"Hi, Darin -Thanks for the message and great question. Jim Beam Black will keep the same 6 year label in Canada.

Matthew,"

So Canada gets the 6 year but the rest of the world is screwed?

[Mr. Bourbon]

So Canada gets the 6 year but the rest of the world is screwed?

The exported model is a 6 year, But in some places it's only %40 Alcohol.

This makes no sense why they would take away the american age statement.

[squire]

More profit certainly as a six year version is less costly to produce than an eight. If we view Bourbon as a commodity lowering production cost while increasing profit makes perfect business sense.