Bonded Beam is back.

[jburlowski]

Based on the sheer volume that Beam produces of the White Label (I remember your 50 minutes out of every hour of production statement, which I still consider to be an amazing fact, BTW), does "Single Season" have any true meaning in this case? I do notice that on the label it doesn't say Single "Distiller-"y", but rather Single "Distiller". Now that the bottle is on shelves, can anybody tell us if the DSP is on there?

No matter for me, as I will certainly buy one. Excited to try a 100 proof 4 yr Beam. But, the whole BIB thing as a product segment in today's macro bourbon landscape doesn't really light my fire in general, as I personally don't see much that differentiates it over any other 100 proof 4 yr min aged bourbons. I know it was an important badge of honor decades ago, and it does make for an interesting story and cool label art (and I do like those kinds of things), but the idea that it puts the whiskey in some sort of real "special class" doesn't resonate with me.

[shoshani]

Old Forester isnt technically a BIB anymore either, is it?

I am of the opinion that Old Forester BIB was basically done under protest, to satisfy the legal requirements during Prohibition when all whiskey had to be bottled in bond. This ad, from the May 1, 1916 issue of The Wine and Spirits Bulletin, pretty much presents OF's case against bottling in bond, signed by George Garvin Brown. (This ad was run a year or so before Brown's death.)

https://books.google.com/books?id=YwpQAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA4-PA17#v=onepage&q&f=false

Interestingly, I emailed Brown-Forman because of a new historical-replication expression that they're bottling at 90 proof, asking them why 90 instead of 100. The answer I received was pretty candid: It seems that George Garvin Brown bottled his Old Forester at 90 proof.

[TunnelTiger]

Finished off my first bottle tonight. It's the first JB labeled bottle that I truly enjoyed and while I have to pay $22.99 to me it is worth it and will be part of my stable going forward.

Maybe because I'm old I relate more to BIB bottles.

[squire]

That's a great read Michael. Of course Brown-Foreman was promoting the product they sold whereas in the ads that followed Bottled in Bond is emphasized. Also noticed the ads for blending Sherry sold in bulk.

[kjbeggs]

Saw two bottles of this on the shelf today.

Took one, left one at $19.99

[chrisg]

I had a chance to try my bottle today. While I enjoy it better than JB White, I don't see it as being more enticing than other BIB's.

[Phil T]

Old Forester isnt technically a BIB anymore either, is it?

Technically, no...but Old Forester has gotten label approval for a BIB

[JPBoston]

I had a chance to try my bottle today. While I enjoy it better than JB White, I don't see it as being more enticing than other BIB's.

Better than black label?

Still not available here in AZ (that I've found, anyway).

[jburlowski]

Better than black label?

Still not available here in AZ (that I've found, anyway).

IMO, no (at least not compared to the age-stated version).

[GAbiker]

I picked up a bottle at the $22.99 price yesterday. Definite difference compared to the White label and "extra aged..used to be double aged".

[BFerguson]

I think the BiB designation is, in today's world, largely a historical anachronism. It arose in a world where there was uncertainty /confusion about what was in the bottle .

[393foureyedfox]

I honk one could argue that this is just what is needed today.

At times it appears that bourbon of questionable origin is becoming more of the norm, than the exception.

B

exactly. perusing the aisle today at probably one of the two largest stores in lousville, it is amazing the sheer quantity of NDP crap on the shelves. I found myself wishing there was a separate aisle for them. I mean, there is one aisle for scotch, one aisle for canadian, and then one aisle for the hundreds of bourbons....both NDP and DP together. If I were new to this, I would not know the difference and likely buy the same thing at different price points under different labels.

Im all for BIB's. not necessarily for the standard of quality as it was intended originally, but instead for the standard of comparison of one house profile against another.

that said, I still havent seen JB BIB yet, though today was the first time ive been in a liquor store in probably a month.

[squire]

BIB doesn't mean the house best but it does mean a house standard and as a standard perhaps is even more important today than a century ago.

[BigBoldBully]

I still have not seen the bonded, just the "whiskey formerly known as double aged"--the latter of which (age stated version) is currently in disfavor in my rotation due to my inability to find a good vatting mate for it.

Edited February 16, 2015 by BigBoldBully

[smokinjoe]

IMO, "Bottled in Bond" = "Marketing". I agree with John's statement above, that the term is an anachronism in todays macro distillery world. Beam's Marketing Professionals doing what they're supposed to do, are using the term to differentiate their product on a very crowded and dynamic shelf space in the liquor retail store. If the term elicits a response of a higher level of quality, house standard, comfort, or whatever, and people buy the brand because of that, then they have done their job well. The term has obviously worked in achieving that response for at least some segment of the market with OGD, HH, and Barton BIB's. And, I have no problem with it! I remain unconvinced, however, that the term means anything today that is noteworthy about the product as compared to any minimum 4yr old, 100 proof bourbon. Could it be, or should it be? Yes. But, not as it is used now. I think it is telling that Beam elected to put neither the DSP, nor the Distill/Bottle year (Season) on the label. I'm not sure, though, if that info is highlighted on many other BIB's currently on the market.

Some people like label stories of "centuries old recipes". Some like the idea of the "hand crafted" bourbon. Some like pretty packaging. And, some like an ideal of the supposed security and guarantee of "Bottled in Bond". Heck, I'm a bourbon enthusiast. I like all that stuff! Beam sees an opportunity to market and promote the latter. We'll see how they do.

I'm in for at least one. Got me!!!!

[squire]

I suspect majors like Beam may be promoting BIBs because so many start up micros can't, at least yet. Who knows, the term may resonate with overseas buyers.

[Harry in WashDC]

FWIW, JB Bonded is $24 for 750s, $30 for liters. For comparison purposes, OGD 750s are $22 and 1.75liters are $30. They also have an Old Forester BIB liter (2014 release) DSP 354 bottled at DSP 414 for $350. Goodness!! I'm not that much of a fan.

[shoshani]

Saw this on the shelves at Binny's in Skokie today, so I picked it up. It's fairly sweet in the mouth but spicy in the finish. At $20 a bottle, I have no cause for complaint about the price.

The label says "Single distiller" and "Single season" flanking the big 100 Proof in the center, but there is absolutely no DSP information that I could find. I thought BiB labels had to have that by law. Shrug.

[Harry in WashDC]

. . . there is absolutely no DSP information that I could find. I thought BiB labels had to have that by law. Shrug.

Does the unreadable laser code on the shoulder or the bottom count?:grin:

[chrisg]

I've been giving this a bit more of a go and have found it to improve after a few weeks. It still has that familiar JB White profile; somewhat thinner than other BIB's. I think it's still good for a curiosity but I'll stick with others.

[petrel800]

IMO, "Bottled in Bond" = "Marketing". I agree with John's statement above, that the term is an anachronism in todays macro distillery world. Beam's Marketing Professionals doing what they're supposed to do, are using the term to differentiate their product on a very crowded and dynamic shelf space in the liquor retail store. If the term elicits a response of a higher level of quality, house standard, comfort, or whatever, and people buy the brand because of that, then they have done their job well. The term has obviously worked in achieving that response for at least some segment of the market with OGD, HH, and Barton BIB's. And, I have no problem with it! I remain unconvinced, however, that the term means anything today that is noteworthy about the product as compared to any minimum 4yr old, 100 proof bourbon. Could it be, or should it be? Yes. But, not as it is used now. I think it is telling that Beam elected to put neither the DSP, nor the Distill/Bottle year (Season) on the label. I'm not sure, though, if that info is highlighted on many other BIB's currently on the market.

Some people like label stories of "centuries old recipes". Some like the idea of the "hand crafted" bourbon. Some like pretty packaging. And, some like an ideal of the supposed security and guarantee of "Bottled in Bond". Heck, I'm a bourbon enthusiast. I like all that stuff! Beam sees an opportunity to market and promote the latter. We'll see how they do.

I'm in for at least one. Got me!!!!

Don't worry they got me for one as well. That being said, unless it starts growing on me, I don't see them getting me for 2.

[TunnelTiger]

On my third bottle now. What can I say I'm a BIB junkie and no matter the label I enjoy each and every one of them.

[BourbonGuy]

Finally found a bottle. But in NY, $34.02...

[amg]

Looks like the going rate is $25 around here. Maybe I'll try a pour at a bar some time, but I can get KC for just a couple bucks more.

[boneuphtoner]

My first impressions....I was looking forward to trying the new Jim Beam bonded and I picked up one for the first time this afternoon. When I try something new I always compare it against something I know. I was guessing the closest thing I had to this was the Kirkland bourbon, which if you haven't tried it, is a sweeter, slightly less oakier version of Knob Creek, with a 7 year age statement. As it turns out, in my opinion, these two are nothing like each other. If the Kirkland is Knob Creek with less wood, the bonded Beam is like amped up Beam White label. I'm the only bourbon enthusiast I know who will admit that I do like white label for a simple no-frills pour from time to time, so I think the new Beam bonded is a winner based on taste. Where the new product loses is on price. I paid 18.99, but the equivalent price of the Kirkland per 750 mL is 16.50, and since I like them both equally even though they are very different, I can't say I'll be buying another anytime soon....especially since I would be paying more for NAS and slightly lesser proof. My verdict...it this was a couple of dollars cheaper, I would be all over this. On taste, my recommendation is if you don't like white label and you like a fair amount of oak in your bourbons, my guess is you won't like the new product.