New From Beam: Distiller's Cut

[Richnimrod]

I just visited my local liquor retailer, where I was button-holed by a pretty lass who asked if I'd like to try a free Bourbon tasting.    I of course said I would.     She ushered me an aisle over and took her place behind a small table upon which rested three different Jim Beam Offerings: Double Oaked, JB Black and this one I'd yet to see before; JB Distller's Cut.     She asked which I'd like to sample.    Being me, I asked why I couldn't taste 'em all.    She giggled and said I was welcome to do so.    She wanted my impressions as part of her duties that day, and I accommodated her.     I had tasted the others before, so asked first for the Distiller's Cut.    She poured a fairly generous (an ounce or so) pour into a tiny toss-away cup, and I proceeded to sniff and taste away.    The nose was pure Beam; but hinted at KC, so I guessed it had a bit more age then 4-years.    She offered that of was a batch consisting of a mixture of barrels aged 5-and 6-years.    The nose being decent, I went ahead and took a good sip.    I am not ashamed to say that I liked it rather more than I expected.    My impressions were a fuller; but slightly sweeter profile than either of the others (again, a little like KC) or like most Beam Bourbons, with their typical peanut-caramel-corn profiles.    It had a decent oak structure and a decent hint of char with the sweet caramel notes.     The DC also seemed to have richer, thicker' mouthfeel, like Booker's might have if proofed down to 100 (which this is).    At $23, I find this a likely winner, unless the sample bottle from which I tasted was somehow "juiced".    I doubt that. 

 

I came home and visited the BS website to find out that it's indeed 5 & 6 year old and that it's NCF (only minimally screened to remove bits of barrel char).    Distiller's Cut may be unique in this price range being NCF and 100-proof.  

So, it's on my list to get a bottle try.

 

Anybody else have experience with this new brand from Beam/Suntory?       What say one and all?

[tanstaafl2]

A giggly young lady can tend to make most any whiskey taste better...

[Radioyada]

I bought a bottle, and think it is worth the price.

 

Edited December 18, 2017 by Radioyada

[GeeTen]

^^^^^^^^^^

TTIWWOP!  Bottle and lovely lass, please.   

 

[Clueby]

13 minutes ago, GeeTen said:

^^^^^^^^^^

TTIWWOP!  Bottle and lovely lass, please.   

 

Ha..I had to Google that one.

[emr454]

Here it hovers around $26-27, only $5-6 less than KC. While KC lost it age statement of 9 years, even if it's 7-8 years old I'd be more inclined to spend another $5 or $6 to get KC.

 

With all that being said, I haven't tasted it yet. Would be nice to do a SBS and go from there.

[smokinjoe]

I'm quite looking forward to trying this, as it seems every new Beam release hits my sweet spot.  And, I like how they continue to moderately price these new releases.  

[Richnimrod]

5 hours ago, tanstaafl2 said:

A giggly young lady can tend to make most any whiskey taste better...

Hmmmm, You are soooo right, sir.  

I will find out how much that lass influenced my impression soon enough, as I plan to go in search of a bottle tomorrow. 

I'll let everyone know what I think of it in a few days.

[kevinbrink]

I bought one and I think it is pretty great especially for the money, I did a SBS with Beam BIB and it was the clear winner, maybe next I'll do a SBS with KC NAS. 

[emr454]

9 hours ago, kevinbrink said:

I bought one and I think it is pretty great especially for the money, I did a SBS with Beam BIB and it was the clear winner, maybe next I'll do a SBS with KC NAS. 

Curious how the KC SBS goes since they are so closely priced in this area.

[Kyjd75]

Just bought a bottle.  $21.99 at Packages & More in Elizabethtown.

[smokinjoe]

I purchased one today, and have been going to it while preparing dinner.  This is a fine whiskey!  Closer to Knob Creek than to Beam Bonded, the latter being what I feared this release might simply be a re-run of.  The extra couple years in the barrel thins out the luscious viscosity of Bonded, and gives it more of the drier oakiness of KC.  But, what it gives up in mouthfeel, it gives back in chewiness.  I find that the typical Beam "house style" flavor diminishes as age increases.  Some call it peanut or Beam funk (not a fan of this last description, BTW ).  This whiskey does similar.  Less house style than White label and Bonded.  For me, the nose, palate, and finish all deliver fully.  I really like this one, and a particularly solid release st $23, as priced at this ATL store.

[Clueby]

16 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

I purchased one today, and have been going to it while preparing dinner.  This is a fine whiskey!  Closer to Knob Creek than to Beam Bonded, the latter being what I feared this release might simply be a re-run of.  The extra couple years in the barrel thins out the luscious viscosity of Bonded, and gives it more of the drier oakiness of KC.  But, what it gives up in mouthfeel, it gives back in chewiness.  I find that the typical Beam "house style" flavor diminishes as age increases.  Some call it peanut or Beam funk (not a fan of this last description, BTW ).  This whiskey does similar.  Less house style than White label and Bonded.  For me, the nose, palate, and finish all deliver fully.  I really like this one, and a particularly solid release st $23, as priced at this ATL store.

Age stated KC is $24.31 locally at Sam's and the JBDC was over $25 at other stores from what I saw.

[Kyjd75]

9 hours ago, Kyjd75 said:

Just bought a bottle.  $21.99 at Packages & More in Elizabethtown.

Now I have it open and have tried a bit of it.  Initial impression is very favorable.  Not KC but still a very good bourbon definitely heads and tails above JBW, etc.  For its price point I think Beam has a winner here.

[flahute]

2 hours ago, Clueby said:

Age stated KC is $24.31 locally at Sam's and the JBDC was over $25 at other stores from what I saw.

You guys in MO have different pricing than just about anywhere else in the country.

[lcpfratn]

Almost picked up a bottle of this last week, but decided to wait and see what the reviews looked like. Now I've got an excuse to go to one of my locals and start working on the goodwill for the 2018 bourbon hunting season...it's never too early to start!


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[emr454]

10 hours ago, Clueby said:

Age stated KC is $24.31 locally at Sam's and the JBDC was over $25 at other stores from what I saw.

If I could get age stated KC for $24 I'd have a case (or two)

[Clueby]

1 hour ago, emr454 said:

If I could get age stated KC for $24 I'd have a case (or two)

There were tons of gift sets but even the single bottles were all age stated too, although the single bottles were more $ ($29ish) than the gift sets. There were pallets full.

[miller542]

35 minutes ago, Clueby said:

There were tons of gift sets but even the single bottles were all age stated too, although the single bottles were more $ ($29ish) than the gift sets. There were pallets full.

 

Looks like they're trying to clear out last year's gift sets.  Either way, I'd buy at least a few at that price and donate the extra glasses!

 

Now that this thread has turned into a KC pricing discussion, maybe its time to merge it with the other Distiller's Cut thread here: https://www.straightbourbon.com/community/topic/25726-jim-beam-distillers-cut/

 

Edited December 20, 2017 by miller542

[kevinbrink]

I love when they clear out old stock, I grabbed a two pack of KC (NAS) and KC Rye 375's for $17.99 last week (actually I bought 3 because that is what was left) plan on gifting these to the houses I visit this holiday season.

[Clueby]

5 hours ago, miller542 said:

Now that this thread has turned into a KC pricing discussion

 

Oops..sorry.

[cdcdguy]

I picked up a bottle of this today. It did not come with the pretty box though. But for 19.99 before tax, can't wait to try! Will pop back on here with a review.

[cdcdguy]

So I am trying it now. Distillers Cut. Color very light. Got some oak on the nose. For 100 proof it's smooth. May not even need to water this one. Nice flavor especially mid palate but the finish is short. To me that takes this 20 dollar bourbon from home run to pretty good. Even though this isn't BIB, I would take 13 dollar EWBIB over this all day. 

[miller542]

14 hours ago, cdcdguy said:

I would take 13 dollar EWBIB over this all day. 

 

While I see the value proposition of EWBIB, I'm going to disagree.  With another year or two of aging and non-chill filtered, Distiller's Cut does offer more.  Plus I've never gotten into the Evan Williams profile, so its an easy choice for me.  I can't think of a better value in the sub-$25 range right now than Distiller's Cut.  OF Sig, Ritt rye, Dickel, HH6yrBIB, Beam Black all come to mind as close competitors and maybe OGD 114, WT101, and EWSB if you find them on sale.  Only the last three would make me second-guess my choice at $25 or less.

[Richnimrod]

2 hours ago, miller542 said:

 

While I see the value proposition of EWBIB, I'm going to disagree.  With another year or two of aging and non-chill filtered, Distiller's Cut does offer more.  Plus I've never gotten into the Evan Williams profile, so its an easy choice for me.  I can't think of a better value in the sub-$25 range right now than Distiller's Cut.  OF Sig, Ritt rye, Dickel, HH6yrBIB, Beam Black all come to mind as close competitors and maybe OGD 114, WT101, and EWSB if you find them on sale.  Only the last three would make me second-guess my choice at $25 or less.

I agree with you, miller542.

I have yet to crack open the bottle I bought of this new Beam Distiller's Cut; but at $23, being NCF, and 100-proof puts it in a class virtually by itself for my area. 

I would add one more to your list of competitors, as well: the relatively new brand from BF: Early Times BIB.    It sells for about the same coin hereabouts... AND, you get a full liter for the money.     AND, the flavor and nose are pretty darned good for that value proposition.   I'll be opening the Beam DC in a day or two, and will be surprised if it doesn't at least represent a decent value for the price.    I may, of course be disappointed, as I only had about a one ounce sample once; but, I'm hoping not.