The Jim Beam Harvest Bourbon Collection is part of the distiller’s ultra-premium expressions – the Jim Beam Signature Craft line. The Jim Beam Signature Craft line is a series of innovative, limited released, small batch bourbons that showcase some of the finest hand-crafted and rare liquids to come from the Jim Beam distillery.
“With the newest batch expressions in our ultra-premium line of craft products, we are honoring traditions of the past while charting new waters for bourbon distilling,” said Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller. “I’m very proud of these new expressions and am eager to continue experimenting and innovating in search of future batches for the Jim Beam Signature Craft line.”
The Signature Craft Harvest Bourbon Collection took shape almost a decade ago when a group of distillers at Jim Beam thought “outside the barrel” and experimented with a variety of obscure grains and non-traditional recipes and ultimately settled on a range of harvest grains such as Brown Rice and Soft Red Wheat (among others) to complement the majority grain of corn. These distillers, many of whom have since currently retired, distilled a handful of liquids and laid them down in rackhouses to rest, untouched, for years. Now, more than a decade later, Fred Noe discovered these lost barrels and gave them a taste; and while a few batches from the lot did not make the cut, he was delighted to find six delicious bourbons, ready to be bottled and released.
Jim Beam Harvest Bourbon Collection is a series of six hand-crafted bourbons that celebrate the distinctive tastes imparted by the distillation of different grains. More than 11 years of aging have brought out the nuances of these unique ingredients to create some of the rarest, most unique whiskey expressions to ever leave a Jim Beam rackhouse.
The first two grain representations – Soft Red Wheat and Brown Rice – are being released in extremely small quantities. The four remaining expressions – Whole Rolled Oat, Triticale, High Rye and Six Row Barley – will be released with limited quantity throughout 2015.
Here’s a look at the first two releases from the lineup:
Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat Bourbon
Bottled at 90 proof, Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat is a light-bodied and very approachable bourbon that has been aged for 11 years. The finest Soft Red Wheat from Kentucky and Indiana gives this bourbon a gentle spice with a slight, light brown sugar sweetness and a light-bodied finish that is best enjoyed straight (neat or on-the-rocks). Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat has a slight and soft aroma with mild oak notes, and has a range of color from golden honey to amber.
Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice Bourbon
Also bottled at 90 proof, Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice is a full-bodied bourbon that has lasting flavor from its 11 years of aging. This bourbon contains a taste of toasted grain with sweet oak and rich vanilla flavors and is best enjoyed straight (neat or on-the-rocks). Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice has an aroma with notes of sweet potato and brown sugar with a slight oaky spice and a deep, rich amber color.
Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat and Brown Rice are now available in select bars and retailers nationwide and have a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 375mL.