Jim Beam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jim Beam is a brand of bourbon whiskey, distilled in Clermont, Kentucky. This brand of whiskey has been distilled since 1795. The Jim Beam brand is owned by Beam Global Spirits & Wine, which is in turn owned by holding company Fortune Brands.
There have been seven generations of distillers from the Beam family:
- Johannes Jakob Böhm, later renamed to Jacob Beam (1770-1834)
- David Beam (1802-1854)
- David M. Beam (1833-1913)
- Col. James (Jim) B. Beam (1864-1947)
- T. Jeremiah Beam (1899-1977)
- Booker Noe (Nephew of Jim Beam, 1929-2004)
- Fred Noe (19??-Present)
- Jerry Dalton(1985 — Present)
Several types of Jim Beam, also commonly known as Beam, are available:
- Jim Beam White label (Aged 4 years, 80 proof)
- Jim Beam White label (Aged 7 years, 80 proof, 'Premium Aged 7 Years Old' across top of label, allegedly unavailable outside of Kentucky, but can be found in many states)
- Jim Beam Green label (Aged 5 years, 80 proof, "Jim Beam's Choice")
- Jim Beam Black label (Aged 8 years, 86 proof)
- Jim Beam Yellow label (Rye whiskey, aged 4 years, 80 proof)
Jim Beam also produces the Booker's brand of small-batch bourbon, named for Booker Noe.
On Feb 14, 2005 Jim Beam put its 10 millionth barrel into the rack for aging.
Jim Beam meets the requirements for being bourbon: its mash is over 51% corn, and it is stored in new charred oak barrels for longer than the national requirement of 2 years (the required maturation time to be called "straight bourbon"; "bourbon" has no required maturation time). Jim Beam uses rye and barley to fill out its grains.
Like many bourbons, Jim Beam uses a portion of a prior run to create a better environment for the yeast in the new run. This is known as "sour mash", as this process is much like how sourdough bread is made. The standard white label Jim Beam whiskey pours a light amber color.
The Jim Beam distillery is part of the American Whiskey Trail.
Recently the company has come out with Beam Soaked Sunflower seeds and jerkey. They come in 3 flavors; Original, Barbeque, and Jalapeno.
Robby Gordon drives the number 7 Jim Beam in the NASCAR Nextel Cup. Steven Johnson and Will Davison drive the number 17 and 18 Dick Johnson Racing team cars sponsered by Jim Beam.
[edit] External links
- Jim Beam official website
- Jim Beam Brands Small Batch Bourbon Collection
- kentuckystraightbourbon.com reviews
- Hidden Horsham Photos and history of Prewetts Mill which now houses the UK headquarters of Beam Global
