Bonded Beam is back.

[dSculptor]

This one is at the top of my list right now, (not too much of anything else that is up there), but still not available around these neck of the woods.

[Kartofel]

It's around $28 in my area, putting it just above the Black Label in terms of price. I agree with the assessment that it's a more robust White Label. It's pretty much what I figured a bonded Beam would taste like, and I'm really enjoying it. I'll definitely be keeping some around as it's all I've been drinking since I've opened the bottle.

[Paddy]

I was advised by a monger today that the initial release BIB labels are defective, so that these current bottles will be collectible. I still passed....for now.

Anybody else out heard this one?

[oknazevad]

They did (apparently unintentionally) omit the DSP number(s) from the first labels, and future label printings will correct that (as required by the BiB designation), but I really don't think that will make them any more collectible. Then again, people collect odd things and JB is the second most recognizable brand of American whiskey, so who knows.

[TunnelTiger]

Whoops, I've sent three collectible bottles to the curb, oh well.

[leebo]

Any around in MA or NH yet?

[Paddy]

They did (apparently unintentionally) omit the DSP number(s) from the first labels, and future label printings will correct that (as required by the BiB designation), but I really don't think that will make them any more collectible. Then again, people collect odd things and JB is the second most recognizable brand of American whiskey, so who knows.

Thanks for clarifying. What I saw today definitely didn't have any DSP info on them. I guess I musta passed over a couple of cases of collectibles then.

[GerryM]

Any around in MA or NH yet?

In stock at many NH state stores. I'd ck the website.

[boneuphtoner]

I was advised by a monger today that the initial release BIB labels are defective, so that these current bottles will be collectible. I still passed....for now.

Anybody else out heard this one?

Perhaps they were referring to the faux tax stamp that goes over the screw cap. About half of the ones in the store didn't have it. I picked one that did have it, and it fell off in my car before I got home!

[dSculptor]

Just got an email from a buddy who was in Minnesota, found some.. he sent a pic with 2 of them in it, one better be for me!

[bllygthrd]

I was advised by a monger today that the initial release BIB labels are defective, so that these current bottles will be collectible. I still passed....for now.

Anybody else out heard this one?

Got the same "speel" when I picked up my bottle in Ashland, KY. I don't collect bottles ... I collect bottles filled with bourbon.

[Paddy]

Got the same "speel" when I picked up my bottle in Ashland, KY. I don't collect bottles ... I collect bottles filled with bourbon.

Does ABC still have cases of it?:grin:

[flahute]

Just showed up in the online inventory at Total Wine here. Priced at 19.99. Have to say I'm surprised at the price - I thought it would be mid 20's.

[bllygthrd]

Does ABC still have cases of it?:grin:

[mosugoji64]

This one just showed up in AZ and I had a couple of pours tonight. It's good. The Beam funk did not overwhelm (as it did in the last JBB I had) and there was a nice peppery hit on the finish that I enjoyed quite a bit. I hesitated picking it up given my experience with the last couple of Beam namesake bottles I bought, but my love of bonded bottles won out and I'm glad. Oh, and it did have the little paper strip but it fell off as the cashier was ringing it up.

[Swoboda]

Just came across a Jim Beam $9 mail-in rebate hanging at the local. Makes my JBBIB $8.99 after rebate. Thanks!

[Jazz Nut]

There are quite a few bottles in the northern metro of Minneapolis. Haven't gotten any yet.

[weller_tex]

I like the the Beam taste...reminds me of a candy bar with nuts, so I don't think there is a funk at all. With that in mind I absolutely love this stuff! Really nice mouth feel, sweet, a little bit of wood, with a nice peppery kick, and almost no burn. This will become a staple for me.

[smokinjoe]

I like the the Beam taste...reminds me of a candy bar with nuts, so I don't think there is a funk at all. With that in mind I absolutely love this stuff! Really nice mouth feel, sweet, a little bit of wood, with a nice peppery kick, and almost no burn. This will become a staple for me.

Very much like my impressions W. I too, was impressed with it overall (I like the Beam house style), and as you noted, I particularly thought the mouthfeel was exceptional.

[Harry in WashDC]

Over the last two days, I did SBS tastings of a newly opened bottle of JBB 8yr (not the NAS “Doubled Aged”) and a newly opened JBBIB. In retrospect, I think I should have added a newly opened KC; it has the age (and a little more) of the JBB 8yr and the 100 proof of the JBBIB. Maybe after I take a nap . . .

Around Washington DC, I can find JBB for $18.50 but more likely for $22, JBBIB for $20 but more likely $24, and KC on sale for $22 but more likely $28 or more.

Nose –

JBB- It does NOT have an initial hit of canned peas cooked in honey which I find in JBW; rather, it opens with lightly sugared fruit (like warm fruit compote) and some alcohol bloom but not much. (ASIDE: while I don’t drink JBW neat for that reason, I’ve found nothing better than JBW for mixing with Coke and ice on a really hot day – the honeyed peas disappear like magic.)

JBBIB-It, too, has the Beam house style, but it, too, leaves out the peas. I like the caramel, straw (one of my favorite flavors from when I drank Carling Black Label and National Premium beer), and hints of chocolate and café au lait (coffee & cream 50/50). A little alcohol bloom, too, but not too much.

First taste—

JBB-Warm for 86 proof. The nose-fruit disappeared rapidly and was replaced by a balanced, classic bourbon mix of vanilla, caramel, and earth/wood/mustiness. This classic mix is why I like bourbons about 8 years or so old even if they are under 100 proof.

JBBIB-alcohol heat up front (like most BIBs) then a nutty, mild sweetness opening moves to an herbal/apple. After a minute or so, a residual sweetness (not cloying/sticky but more sweet than spice) hangs around but is so soft as to be unidentifiable (Allspice? Mace? Cinnamon? Can’t tell).

Second taste (about five minutes after the first sip)—

JBB-That bourbon mix is still there but the oak steps up some.

JBBIB-pepper jelly; mouth-feel is alive like eating a redhot but without the heavy cinnamon or like chewing spearmint gum (NOT like peppermint, like spearmint) – no real cinnamon, just spice. After a minute or so, this fades to an undefined herbal note about as strong as asparagus eaten with a charcoal grilled steak (the beef and smoke dominate the asparagus but you can still taste the veggie) which fades quickly to, I guess, (don’t laugh) cornbread with a little cayenne cooked in it.

Finish—

JBB-Fades pretty quickly with oak leaving last and with no minty tingle at all.

JBBIB-lingering flavors are short BUT that slight minty tingle lasts quite awhile.

Conclusion - I’ve thought about this a lot. Given that I like JBB (unless the new NAS version varies from the 8 yr profile I’ve grown to like) and KC, I already have non-exclusive participants in my regular rotation for my “light” alcohol days and the 100 proof days. I’m not sure I need to try to squeeze in JBBIB which has parts of the other two I like at a comparable price. On the other hand, for only 4 years old, it’s pretty good, and the 100 proof part really calls to me. But, I already can get OGDBIB or WT101, which I still like better, cheaper or at the same price.

I did not try it in cocktails or with water or ice. So, I guess I’ll have to continue to buy it, along with JBB and KC, until I make up my mind on which one of the three, if any, to drop from my shelf. Don't wait for me to make up my mind anytime soon. This could take months, if not years, of comparative experimentation.

[squire]

Good stuff Harry, thanks for taking the time.

[flahute]

Fantastic notes Harry, thanks for jotting those down. The BIB is on my radar and you've just convinced me to pick it up.

[TunnelTiger]

Great notes Harry, thanks and I agree with you.

[weller_tex]

Over the last two days, I did SBS tastings of a newly opened bottle of JBB 8yr (not the NAS “Doubled Aged”) and a newly opened JBBIB. In retrospect, I think I should have added a newly opened KC; it has the age (and a little more) of the JBB 8yr and the 100 proof of the JBBIB. Maybe after I take a nap . . .

Around Washington DC, I can find JBB for $18.50 but more likely for $22, JBBIB for $20 but more likely $24, and KC on sale for $22 but more likely $28 or more.

Nose –

JBB- It does NOT have an initial hit of canned peas cooked in honey which I find in JBW; rather, it opens with lightly sugared fruit (like warm fruit compote) and some alcohol bloom but not much. (ASIDE: while I don’t drink JBW neat for that reason, I’ve found nothing better than JBW for mixing with Coke and ice on a really hot day – the honeyed peas disappear like magic.)

JBBIB-It, too, has the Beam house style, but it, too, leaves out the peas. I like the caramel, straw (one of my favorite flavors from when I drank Carling Black Label and National Premium beer), and hints of chocolate and café au lait (coffee & cream 50/50). A little alcohol bloom, too, but not too much.

First taste—

JBB-Warm for 86 proof. The nose-fruit disappeared rapidly and was replaced by a balanced, classic bourbon mix of vanilla, caramel, and earth/wood/mustiness. This classic mix is why I like bourbons about 8 years or so old even if they are under 100 proof.

JBBIB-alcohol heat up front (like most BIBs) then a nutty, mild sweetness opening moves to an herbal/apple. After a minute or so, a residual sweetness (not cloying/sticky but more sweet than spice) hangs around but is so soft as to be unidentifiable (Allspice? Mace? Cinnamon? Can’t tell).

Second taste (about five minutes after the first sip)—

JBB-That bourbon mix is still there but the oak steps up some.

JBBIB-pepper jelly; mouth-feel is alive like eating a redhot but without the heavy cinnamon or like chewing spearmint gum (NOT like peppermint, like spearmint) – no real cinnamon, just spice. After a minute or so, this fades to an undefined herbal note about as strong as asparagus eaten with a charcoal grilled steak (the beef and smoke dominate the asparagus but you can still taste the veggie) which fades quickly to, I guess, (don’t laugh) cornbread with a little cayenne cooked in it.

Finish—

JBB-Fades pretty quickly with oak leaving last and with no minty tingle at all.

JBBIB-lingering flavors are short BUT that slight minty tingle lasts quite awhile.

Conclusion - I’ve thought about this a lot. Given that I like JBB (unless the new NAS version varies from the 8 yr profile I’ve grown to like) and KC, I already have non-exclusive participants in my regular rotation for my “light” alcohol days and the 100 proof days. I’m not sure I need to try to squeeze in JBBIB which has parts of the other two I like at a comparable price. On the other hand, for only 4 years old, it’s pretty good, and the 100 proof part really calls to me. But, I already can get OGDBIB or WT101, which I still like better, cheaper or at the same price.

I did not try it in cocktails or with water or ice. So, I guess I’ll have to continue to buy it, along with JBB and KC, until I make up my mind on which one of the three, if any, to drop from my shelf. Don't wait for me to make up my mind anytime soon. This could take months, if not years, of comparative experimentation.

Very nice! I like OGD and WT, but I like the JBBIB better becasue of the great mouthfeel.The OGD is a bit thin, and WT isn't as thin but not as nice as the JBBIB. It's hard to believe that JBBIB is just JBW bottled at 100 proof. It just seems to be of a higher quality (I do like JBW on the rocks). JBB I like OK but it has this apple juice taste that I don't care for that I don't get in JBBIB. Standard KC is too woody for me, where as KCSB alternates between good and meh for me. I would have to rank Beam's current line as Baker's, Booker's, then JBBIB, followed by OGD114/BIB.

[squire]

I would have to rank Beam's current line as Baker's, Booker's, then JBBIB, followed by OGD114/BIB.

That's close to my take on it but I would rank OGD a little higher.