Country:
USA
Brand:
Jim Beam Black Label
Type:
Bourbon (Kentucky)
Age:
6 Years
Alcohol: 43%
Colour: Deep Gold
Nose: Very Rich with Sweet Grain, Banana, Coconut, Dried Apricots, Vanilla, Light Oak and Charcoal. There is some young alcohol there so best leave it in the glass for at least 15 minutes before starting to nose.
Taste: The delivery is smooth and sweet though less sweet as I’d expected after the nose. Vanilla and Caramel. Some light spices are developing. But above all there is a distinct Cherry flavor.
Finish: Middle long with the Cherries leading the way to a dry and nutty finish.
Rating: 85
Nose: 22 – Taste: 21 – Finish: 21 – Overall: 21
General Remarks: With a few drops of water you bring out some more fruit in the nose (Dried Apricots and Prunes). But the palate is ruined so I advise you to drink it either straight or with an ice cube or two.
Drinking Experience Neat: Good
Drinking Experience On the Rocks: Average (Nutty Bitterness)
Conclusion: I’ve read a lot of very positive opinions on the Jim Beam Black 8 years expression that is being sold in the USA. In Brazil and other parts of the world we have to do with the imported version that aged for 6 years only. I consider it to be a good Bourbon, slightly better than the Jim Beam White Label that I also bought here in Brazil. But I think I will have to go to the States to get the real one. So maybe in the future I’ll go Back to Black!
Jan van den Ende November 18, 2011
