Bite and Booze by Jay D. Ducote

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Wakey Whiskey: Jim Beam 12-Years Signature Craft

By Eric Ducote

Good morning friends, and happy National Bourbon Day to you all! I'd have a hard time naming my favorite type of whiskey, but bourbon is without a doubt on the short list for consideration.  Every June 14th, because every day should be used to celebrate something, is National Bourbon Day, so that obviously requires a ceremonial wakey whiskey! Jim Beam (disclaimer, Jim Beam is owned by Beam Suntory, the third largest distilled beverage company in the world) is the most popular bourbon worldwide, and the second best-selling whiskey brand, but I'm not about to raise a glass with a pour of the regular white label. This morning calls for a pour of their Signature Craft 12-Years Small Batch. 


Jim Beam Signature Craft

The Jim Beam Signature Craft is one of their more premium releases under the Jim Beam name, having been aged for 12 years (minimum) and bottled at 86 proof.  For comparison, the regular white label is a 4-year bourbon and the Devil's Cut is a 6-year.  All that extra time in the barrel helps give the Signature Craft a deeper brown color and a rich caramel and vanilla aroma.  That sweetness is accented with a hint of the booze and a slight leathery note. The taste on this bourbon is exceptional and without a doubt reflects the extra aging with oak, vanilla, and even a little peppery flavor.  

The finish is smooth, although there's a hint of medicinal bitterness at the very last bit of aftertaste.   That's really the only ding on the scoresheet for this whiskey, a great addition to any collection and a fine way to kick off National Bourbon Day! 

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