Jim Beam Single Barrel 750ML

Jim Beam Single Barrel 750ML is a 108-proof (54% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon selected from the top one percent of barrels at Jim Beam Distillery. This Gold Medal winner at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the New York International Spirits Competition (2021 and 2022) showcases what the Jim Beam mashbill can achieve under ideal barrel conditions, with each bottle individually numbered and drawn from a single cask.
Quick Facts: ABV: 54% (108 Proof)  |  Origin: Clermont, Kentucky, USA  |  NAS (No Age Statement)  |  Distillery: Jim Beam
Production & Heritage
The Jim Beam Distillery traces its origins to 1795, when Jacob Beam began selling bourbon in Kentucky. Now in its eighth generation of family involvement and owned by Beam Suntory, the operation remains rooted in Clermont. Jim Beam Single Barrel uses the distillery’s signature sour mash process with a mashbill of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley, distilled through column stills and matured in new charred American white oak barrels inside Beam’s Kentucky rickhouses. The master distiller hand-selects fewer than one percent of all maturing barrels for this expression, and each bottle is individually labeled and numbered to reflect its specific barrel of origin — a sharp contrast to the distillery’s standard batched releases.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Vanilla bean and caramelized sugar rise first, followed by toasted oak and warm nutmeg. Given time, hints of orange peel, honeycomb, and gentle baking spice emerge from the glass.
Taste: The entry is rich with toffee and caramel corn, moving into roasted nuts and layered baking spices at mid-palate. As the 108-proof weight builds, leather and dried fruit develop, giving the bourbon a full-bodied, expressive depth. The mouthfeel is surprisingly balanced for the proof.
Finish: Long and warming, with charred oak and vanilla lingering well past the last sip. A pleasant, dry spiciness gradually takes over as the sweetness recedes.
How to Drink Jim Beam Single Barrel
Neat or with a few drops of water is the best way to appreciate the barrel-specific nuances; the higher proof opens up nicely without dilution flattening the flavors. Its concentration also makes it a standout base spirit in cocktails.
Old Fashioned: The dense caramel and oak character stands firm against bitters and sugar, maintaining definition where lighter bourbons can fade.
Manhattan: Full body and rye-driven spice pair naturally with sweet vermouth, adding warmth and structure to the drink.
Bourbon Highball: At 108 proof, the bold flavor profile holds its identity even when lengthened with chilled soda water.
Best For
Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values barrel-specific character
Building a single barrel collection at an accessible price point
Hosting a side-by-side tasting of single barrel versus standard Jim Beam expressions
After-dinner neat sipping when you want something bold but approachable
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jim Beam Single Barrel taste like? It leads with rich toffee, caramel, and toasted oak, with roasted nuts and baking spices developing through the mid-palate. The finish is long and warming, defined by charred oak and lingering vanilla.
How does Jim Beam Single Barrel compare to Knob Creek Single Barrel? Both are distilled at the Jim Beam Distillery using the same 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley mashbill, but Knob Creek Single Barrel is aged significantly longer (typically nine years) and bottled at 120 proof. Jim Beam Single Barrel tends toward more caramel sweetness and a lighter body, while Knob Creek leans into deeper oak and char complexity.
Is Jim Beam Single Barrel good for sipping neat? At 108 proof, it has enough concentration and complexity to reward slow, deliberate neat sipping. A few drops of water can help reveal subtler aromatic layers without diminishing the bourbon’s intensity.
Where is Jim Beam Single Barrel made? It is produced at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, a facility with roots dating back to 1795. The bourbon ages in rickhouses on the distillery’s grounds in the heart of Kentucky bourbon country.
What foods pair well with Jim Beam Single Barrel? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the bourbon’s caramel and char mirror the meat’s smoky depth. Dark chocolate, which complements the toffee and oak notes. Pecan pie, echoing the roasted nut character. Aged sharp cheddar, whose bite contrasts the bourbon’s sweetness. Grilled stone fruit like peaches, which amplifies the subtle dried fruit undertones.
What sizes does Jim Beam Single Barrel come in? Jim Beam Single Barrel is primarily available in the standard 750ml bottle, individually numbered from its specific barrel.
Is Jim Beam Single Barrel worth the price? It positions as a mid-range bourbon that consistently punches above its price tier, holding Gold Medals from both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the New York International Spirits Competition. For a hand-selected, individually bottled single barrel bourbon at 108 proof, it represents strong value in a competitive category.
Why Jim Beam Single Barrel?
The defining fact about this expression is scarcity within the distillery’s own inventory — fewer than one percent of all maturing Jim Beam barrels earn the Single Barrel designation. Each bottle is drawn from one cask, hand-numbered, and released without blending, meaning every barrel yields a subtly different bourbon. Multiple Gold Medal wins at major international competitions confirm its quality holds up beyond brand loyalty. For drinkers who know standard Jim Beam and want to discover what that same mashbill achieves under ideal barrel conditions at full 108-proof strength, this is the logical — and rewarding — next step.