Bonded Beam is back.

[Grain Belt]

I'm just excited that it isn't another Red Stag flavor. My wife and I were out to dinner the other night and on the drink menu there was a "Red Stag Manhattan." Oh the humanity!

[Gentleman Racer]

If this is essentially Old Tub BIB in a bigger bottle I'll have to pass, but I definitely applaud distilleries bringing more BIBs to market.

I rather like the Old Tub. I'd admit the price is a little high given the BiB benchmarks but I'll go for this. FYI, if anyone doesn't know Old Tub is only sold in the Beam gift shop in 375s (or is it a pint?) It's a four year old BiB.

[squire]

Old Tub also has that really neat vintage design label.

[cowdery]

I like this a lot, the idea of it since I haven't had a taste. But no Beam tastes that much different than any other, certainly not unexpected.

I especially like that they are amping up the consumer education, putting what bonded means right on the label. Sure, bonds are 100 proof and at least four years old, which is great, but it's the single-season, single-distillery part that makes it interesting.

What I don't see, however, is the required DSP number. Also, I hope they will honor 'single distillery' and consider Clermont and Booker Noe as different, even though they share the same DSP.

[Hop]

I rather like the Old Tub. I'd admit the price is a little high given the BiB benchmarks but I'll go for this. FYI, if anyone doesn't know Old Tub is only sold in the Beam gift shop in 375s (or is it a pint?) It's a four year old BiB.

I picked up a bottle of Old Tub LY at the distillery but hadn't opened it. I did so today for a taste. While it didn't knock me over at the beginning in have to say the finish is really nice.

I'll visit it again over the weekend to see if it grows on me.

Makes sense that the new BIB might be the same juice as the Old Tub.

[Richnimrod]

Anytime a new bonded bourbon comes on the market is reason to celebrate. I'm not much of a beam fan but I'll be picking up at least one bottle to give it a try

I agree with ramblinman. I've usually found the bonds to be a cut above the line labels in quality. I've had a few that weren't special, and I'm not expecting muchy blow-back of my hair from this one; but I will certainly seek one out and add it to my 'never-quite-complete' collection of BIB's. In Michigan, most are not the bargain that they may be elsewhere; but all things being relative, $25 isn't too outrageous for a BIB. I've always kept at least one KC as well as one KC120 on the shelf. It'll be interesting to seek the family resemblance.... Can't really find that from JB white/80 to any KC expression.... thank goodness! When I get one to taste, I'll post my impressions.

[mosugoji64]

I think bonds make for good examples of a distillery's house style and hope that's how Beam approaches theirs. A bond should be like a business card and say, "This is what we make."

[squire]

Exactly, a Bond should be like shaking hands with an old friend.

[flahute]

I've got a new found thing for BIB's so I'll be looking for this one when released. Something about keeping a full and solid selection of BIB's in the bar is comforting.

[jburlowski]

My expectation is that it will be simply JBW (or one of the other standard Jim Beam expressions) at a higher proof --- and a much higher price.

[Mr. Bourbon]

My expectation is that it will be simply JBW (or one of the other standard Jim Beam expressions) at a higher proof --- and a much higher price.

I will never be able to get my hands on this BIB and you are probably right about it tasting the same but with higher proof.

[risenc]

Had a chance to try it. It's exactly as you'd expect -- a stronger, richer JBW. I like it, though like everyone else, I'm not sure about the price. I'd like to try it against OGD BiB. Not sure I'd pick it over, say, Heaven Hill BiB; then again, I can't get that in NYC.

I've been pretty impressed with Beam's recent offerings, especially given their relatively low price points.

[amg]

Looks like MSRP is $22.99 for a 750:

http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2015/01/beam-suntory-announces-jim-beam-bonded/

I guess they're looking to compete against OF Sig and WT 101 with this? Seems pretty high considering I can regularly find KC under $30.

[393foureyedfox]

i dont think im interested in a 4 year JB bib at $23, when i could get a handle of the same from HH for less than that same cost

[Xevious]

Looks like MSRP is $22.99 for a 750:

http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2015/01/beam-suntory-announces-jim-beam-bonded/

I guess they're looking to compete against OF Sig and WT 101 with this? Seems pretty high considering I can regularly find KC under $30.

[bigmzungu]

I saw it on the shelves today for 19.99. It certainly wasn't a limited release as there were cases stacked up and shelves full. It does have a nice gold label and looks good but I just can't get excited about the regular Beam mash bill at 4 years, no matter what the proof.

[Harry in WashDC]

Montgomery County MD have it on their list at $19 plus tax, but I haven't made it to a store to see if it's really there. I was running down some OWA about 10 miles away.

[squire]

I was running down some OWA about 10 miles away.

[boneuphtoner]

I'll probably buy at least a bottle to try it. The last couple of bottles of KC I've had have been too oaky for my taste, so this might be just the ticket.

For me, the question is whether this will be better than the CHEAPER 7 year old Kirkland (Costco) Beam juice....$21 for a liter!

[ethangsmith]

Awesome! So we will have it on the shelf in PA within the next four decades!

[393foureyedfox]

i kinda feel like, as long as its under $20, we should all reward Beam for bringing a new BIB to market and buy at least one. its gotta be worth a try

[Southern Gent]

Try it first if you can. I didn't like it as much as EW or OF BiB

[TunnelTiger]

Can't wait to try this as I am a BIB freak. As soon as I see some ATL members seeing it on the shelf I'll know I'm only two or three weeks away from seeing it myself.

[Harry in WashDC]

As 4EFox and TT said, the least we can do is encourage right-thinking. A Beam BIB is in my immediate future, now that I've freed up some trunk space (dead of night unloading heh heh). Going to be in the Laurel MD area shortly so thanks, boneuphtoner, for reminding me about the Costco. Never tried the Kirkland.

[Paddy]

As 4EFox and TT said, the least we can do is encourage right-thinking. A Beam BIB is in my immediate future, now that I've freed up some trunk space (dead of night unloading heh heh). Going to be in the Laurel MD area shortly so thanks, boneuphtoner, for reminding me about the Costco. Never tried the Kirkland.

You'll like it Harry... it's right in your wheelhouse!