Jim Beam Black in Australia - is it 8 years old?

[bongoman]

Hi there

I don't mind JBB and tend to keep a bottle in the freezer for drinking straight when I'm bumbling around in the kitchen. I'm the cook in our house and I find JBB a good value, satisfying drink as I'm running around chopping onions etc. If it's after dinner and the kids are in bed, then I'll choose something more "contemplative" to drink.

However after picking up a bottle on the weekend ($34), I notice that nowhere on the label does it state that it is 8 years old. I could have sworn I even saw a billboard advertising the stuff whilst driving around in Sydney saying it was 8 years old.

Even the Australian Jim Beam website shows an 8 years age statement on the label. However mine just says "Aged to Perfection".

Can someone explain what is going on here?

[HighTower]

bongoman,

Last year we started seeing the start of the "aged to perfection" labels in Australia.

A bit of digging revealed Jim Beam are struggling to have enough 8yo stock for the brand, and in the meantime for export markets it will be "aged to perfection" until supply can meet demand.

In the US it will remain 8yo.

Here is the original thread.

I have 3 8yo bottles left, and I found a bundle of gift boxes at work the other day with the 8 year age statement.

Scott

[bongoman]

Thanks Scott. I suspected the issue had been covered here previously but found it hard to narrow down a search to find it.

It's a little disappointing to hear that. But it still seems a reasonable drink for the $34 I paid.

I'm always on the lookout for sub-$40 bottles here that are worthwhile for those times when you are not in a position to appreciate better bourbon. JBB does fill the need for me.

Is it worth trying Cougar XS do you think?

[HighTower]

I am not a fan of the regular Cougar offering, but I think the XS is good value.

Though in saying that, I haven't had it for a few years now. I would also recommend Jim Beam Green Label.

Scott

[camduncan]

And Jim Beam Yellow Label (Rye) to try something a little different...

(Actually, it's the only American Rye available in Australia:smiley_acbt: )

[HighTower]

I found 5 bottles of 8yo Black Label in my travels today. However it was $45.99 a bottle.

[Stones]

And Jim Beam Yellow Label (Rye) to try something a little different...

(Actually, it's the only American Rye available in Australia:smiley_acbt: )

Hey Cam, Tym here from Brisbane. I've chatted with Scott (HighTower) a few times after he noticed i was online a week or so back. I love this forum and what you guys have established over the years and sorry i hadn't come accross this goldmine of info and tastings any sooner.

Funnily enough i bought a bottle of this over the weekend as i'd never tasted it before and was fairly surprised at its flavour, as you say for something a little different its a good one to have on the side for a change.

Anyhow thought i'd finally say hi and introduce myself formally. :grin: