Jim Beam Rye Review

Country: USA

Brand: Jim Beam Rye

Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 

Age: NAS (Said to be: 4 Years)

ABV: 40 %

Sample Provided By: Derek, USA. Thanks!  

Date: 28/06/2013

Colour: Golden

Nose: Quite different from the Templeton Rye Small Batch I nosed earlier. Sure, the Rye is there and so are Saw Dust and Spices like Cloves, Pepper and Nutmeg. But I also get Corn, Cinnamon, Maraschino Cherries, Charred Oak, Glue, Vanilla, Orange, Lemon, Apple and Tangerine. A hint of Leather and Wood Polish as well. Jim Beam Rye tries to combine the Best of Both Worlds. The result is not unpleasant but a bit flat.

Palate: The Palate basically follows the Nose with lots of Spices like Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Cloves and Cinnamon, accompanied by Honey, Citrus, Mint, Rye-Bread, Maraschino Cherries, Tangerine, Vanilla, Caramel and Oak. Some characteristics of the Jim Beam Bourbon have been preserved.

Finish: Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet with Cherries, Tangerine, Vanilla, Mint, Pepper and Cinnamon.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose gets more Vanilla and Maple Syrup while the Rye and Spices retreat. The Palate and Finish become a bit too thin and slightly bitter. Better sip it neat or enjoy it on the Rocks.

Rating: 81.5

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20  Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: Jim Beam Rye is produced in Clermont, Kentucky. It's America's Top Selling Rye Whiskey. It is made with 51% Rye in the Mash bill and matures for 4 years in freshly Charred White Oak Barrels. It's sold at around 15-25 US Dollars in the USA and at around 30 US Dollars in Europe.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Imagine for a moment that for instance Templeton Rye Small Batch and Knob Creek Small Batch 9 years are American Single Malts. Following this image, the Jim Beam Rye would then be an American Blended Whiskey. I think you get the picture this way. I can see that Jim Beam Rye is the USA's Top Selling Rye Whiskey. It has a bit of everything and therefore will probably please lots of consumers. In my opinion however Jim Beam Rye, while quite enjoyable on the Rocks, lacks sufficient complexity and depth to be considered a sipping Whiskey. 

Jan van den Ende                                                                                 June 2013