Thoughts on Jim Beam Black?

[bourbonman]

Been thinking of picking up a bottle but at 28.95 + tax I was wondering is it really worth it? I can pick up ETL or Lot "B" for $3-5 more. what do you think?

I'm looking for some expert opinion!

Edit to add - Drink it neat.

[HighTower]

If you can get Lot B for $5 more, get that.

Scott

[jspero]

If you can get Lot B for $5 more, get that.

Scott

I'll second that. I like Beam Black and really like ETL, but if you can get Lot B for $5 more, there is no question about buying the Lot B.

Jay

[Sweetmeats]

How much? WOW!

I just picked up my second bottle here for 13.95. There is a sale on it at CVS Pharmacy about every 3 weeks or so. It's worth it at 13.95 but barely. ETL anyday.

[cowdery]

If you're someplace where Lot B is $3 to $5 more than Jim Beam Black, they're either way overpricing the JB Black (which is <$20 here) or underpricing the Lot B (which is >$40 here). Either way, that's a pretty clear choice.

[full_proof]

Wow. What a disparity in price for JB Black compared to the south (GA, FL). The Lot B is the choice for me, hands down, most especially if there's only approximately $5 difference. Lot B resides in the barrel longer, has a heavier char smell and taste, longer finish, and is generally a heavier, more robust pour.

[miller542]

what do you think?

I think I may never buy Beam Black ever again. Ever since we did a blind tasting of 5 bourbons and EVERYONE picked it as the worst, I swore I'd never buy it again. I like Beam, but only for mixing, and the cheaper white label will suffice for that.

Oh, and by the way, the other four were: Buffalo Trace (hands down best), Bulleit, WT RR101, and Elijah Craig 12yr.

[fog]

I enjoy Jim Beam Black. I prefer it over Knob Creek.

[OscarV]

I have never been a fan of Jim Beam Black.

It has been highly touted here on this forum, but I just can't see it, or taste it, as it were.

Jim Beam is resposible for me not being into bourbons to begin with, early on.

To me it is oily, and the taste was hard for me to define, until I read a post by cowdery, he once said that it is the, "funky strain of yeast that Jim Beam uses".

BINGO!! That must be it.

Which brings up another question, how much, as in percentage, does yeast play in the taste of bourbon.

[full_proof]

Which brings up another question, how much, as in percentage, does yeast play in the taste of bourbon.

I've been wondering about the same issue as well. I think that would be a great topic to develop as the TOTM.

[CrispyCritter]

I find Beam Black to be just fine - but at $29 it's way overpriced. For $5 more I wouldn't hesitate to get the Lot B instead.

[Route 66]

I don't feel Jim Beam Black is bad but it's certainly not my preference. From what I understand this is a bourbon heavier on rye? Either way it has a dry type of taste to me that seems to keep other flavors, like caramel, vanilla and tobacco from coming through.

I bought one bottle last December and what's funny is I was having a tiny bit as I opened the Straight Bourbon web page. I paid $20 for a 1 liter bottle and was disappointed to the point where I felt ripped off. When this bottle is gone it will be it for me. I actually prefer drinking Jim Beam White more.

[nickynick]

I find Beam Black to be just fine - but at $29 it's way overpriced. For $5 more I wouldn't hesitate to get the Lot B instead.

Two things, where are you getting Jim Beam Black for $29? Its only $19 at Binnys. More importantly where are you getting Lot B for $35?

[wskybnt]

Two things, where are you getting Jim Beam Black for $29? Its only $19 at Binnys. More importantly where are you getting Lot B for $35?

I get it out the door, for about $33 from my regular guy. Trouble is he cant always get it....

So if I have to get it from somewhere else, its $35.99 + tax.

[CrispyCritter]

Two things, where are you getting Jim Beam Black for $29? Its only $19 at Binnys. More importantly where are you getting Lot B for $35?

I was referring to the original poster's North Dakota prices... I've seen Beam Black for even less than $19 on occasion.

[brian12069]

Jim Beam Black is OK. Kind of like that plain girl in High School math class, that sat way over in the corner that you never really noticed...

[bourbonman]

Happy Harrys bottle shop up here has JBB for $25+t and Lot B 33+t, the $29+t JBB was at a local off-sale.

[ratcheer]

I have had exactly one drink of Jim Beam Black, at a bar in New York City. I thought it was one of the better tasting Beam-branded bourbons I have ever had.

I never buy it, though, because of the relative high price.

Tim

[cowdery]

Happy Harrys bottle shop up here has JBB for $25+t and Lot B 33+t, the $29+t JBB was at a local off-sale.

That's a high price for JBB and a great price for Lot B. By all means, ignore the JBB and buy up all the Lot B you can afford.

[mythrenegade]

What is the relationship between Jim Beam black & Knob Creek, besides both being Beam products?

I like Knob Creek, although it's not my favorite. I really like Bookers, but that's a whole different animal.

Joel

[ThomasH]

I have always liked JBB, in fact, it was the first decent bourbon I drank after the white label. It is a heavier style and has been compared as being bourbon's version of JD. It runs about 19.00 a 750ml in Ohio. I keep a bottle around as it is my favorite from Jim Beam!

Thomas

[cowdery]

What is the relationship between Jim Beam black & Knob Creek, besides both being Beam products?

Joel

Different proof, different age, different profile. Same mashbill, same yeast, same water, same distillery, same distiller, same barrel char, same warehouses.

Knob Creek: wax

JBB: no wax