Jim Beam Vs Jack Daniels
Grab your popcorn and a comfy seat and get ready for the battle of a lifetime one that has been centuries in the making.
Jim Beam vs. Jack Daniels: There are no bigger names when it comes to American whiskey.
It is a showdown between the two bestselling American whiskeys on the marketplace that pits Kentucky bourbon against Tennessee whiskey.
Together, they act as global ambassadors for a uniquely American style of whiskey making. But each brand has its own style that makes their products truly one-of-a-kind.
Who Are Jack Daniels Jim Beam Johnnie Walker And Other Fun Whiskey Facts
Were not talking boring whiskey trivia like Oh hey guys, whiskey in Gaelic is known as Uisge Beatha which means water of life. .
Were talking the fun stuff.
Lets first talk about some of the most famous names in whiskey Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and Johnnie Walker.
Jack Daniels is named after its founder, Jasper Newton Jack Daniel. When Jack was a young boy, he ran away from home and was taken in by a preacher and moonshine distiller named Dan Call, where Jack learned the distillation trade. He would later found a legally registered distilling business and the Old No. 7 referred to his government registration number . Districts were later redrawn and Jack Daniels became Number 16 in district 5, so he kept the Old No. 7 label instead.
Jim Beam is named after James Beauregard Beam and he was not the founder of Jim Beam Bourbon. It was actually started several generations earlier by the Böhm family, which would later change their surname to Beam, in the late 18th century . The James B. Beam Distilling Company would be founded later, built off the work of the family business in distilling, and take on the name Jim Beam.
The Chivas Brothers werent actually brothers. Ha, just kidding, they started off as a grocer in Aberdeen in 1801, selling luxury goods and would eventually supply the royal family at Balmoral Castle. Eventually, James Chivas started to blend whiskies for wealthier clients and a brand was born. John just came along for the ride.
Yes There Was A Real Jim Beam
A few generations later came James Beauregard Beam, who was born in 1864 and who would become the most famous of the Beam family. According to Whiskey University, he first saw his family’s distillery torn to the ground in the chaos of Prohibition. During the years when making alcohol was illegal, he tried a few other businesses like farming and quarrying but he was so bad at both that people in the town said if he opened a funeral home, everyone would stop dying.
But he only had to be good at one thing, and he was. Jim Beam was 70 years old when Prohibition ended, and while that might seem like a ripe old age to start a business at, he wasn’t actually starting a new one… he was picking up right where they left off. He and his son started making Old Tub again along with a couple of other labels and it was all done under the James B. Beam Distilling Company.
Beam died in 1947, and he’s buried in a Bardstown, Kentucky cemetery close to his namesake distillery. Unfortunately, he never got to see his son release Jim Beam Black in his honor , and he never got to see his induction into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. That happened in 2002, and he was the third of many family members to be inducted.
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You’re Drinking The Same Jim Beam Your Great
In case you’re not familiar with the distilling process, here’s a quick lesson: It’s all about the yeast. Take Four Roses. They have five different yeast strains, says First We Feast, and each one is responsible for imparting a different flavor. One’s herbal, one’s spicy, one’s fruity… you get the idea.
So what about Jim Beam’s yeast?
According to bourbon historian Chuck Cowdery, Jim Beam’s grandson Booker Noe shared exactly where their yeast came from originally. While Beam was rebuilding the family distillery, he went out on his back porch one night and caught a strain of wild yeast. That’s it! And that? It’s pretty cool. How, exactly, do you catch wild yeast? According to Bootleg Biology, it’s pretty easy. It’s all around us all the time, and all you need to do is create a starter mix, put it in a jar sealed with cheesecloth, and wait. Yeast!
Jim Beam is still using that same yeast strain, and that means the bottle sitting on your counter right now tastes pretty much the same as a bottle that was distilled decades ago. Beam says the yeast is such an important part of their process that Jim Beam started a tradition of taking some home on the weekends just in case something catastrophic happened while he wasn’t in the distillery and they still do that today.
The Beam Tradition Begins
The Beam family has one of the best-known names in American whiskey. The man who started the family legacy was Jacob Beam. He sold his first barrel of “Old Jake Beam Sour” in 1795.
Since that time, the family of distillers included David Beam, David M. Beam, Col. James Beam , T. Jeremiah Beam, Booker Noe . Today, Fred Noe and his son, Freddie, carry on the family craft of producing Jim Beam bourbons.
Other members of the Beam family also found a place in bourbon’s story. Jack Beam founded âEarly Times. Parker Beam was renowned for his great whiskeys as well. These receive a tribute every year with the annual release of Parker’s Heritage Collection from Heaven Hill.
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Jim Beam Whisky Price In India 2020
Elegant. Smooth. Refined. Thats what 4 years of aging in newly charred American white oak barrels does to Jim Beam. It is one of the oldest Whisky in the world. Jim Beam Whisky Price
Since 1795, Jim Beam has been crafted by the Beam family and distilled with a strong sense of family values. Seven generations later, its still made with those same values and aged twice as long as the law requires.
Jim Beam Whisky is available in
- 180 ml
- 1000 ml
Its As American As Abraham Lincoln
Knob Creek is the name of an actual creek in Kentucky. Allegedly, the creek ran through Abraham Lincolns family farm, which Lincoln referred to as the Knob Creek place. Some sources say Abes father worked as a seasonal hand at a nearby distillery. None of this is definitively true, but all of it is pretty darn charming.
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What Sour Mash Really Means
There’s a lot of lingo that goes along with distilling, and one you’ve probably heard sometimes on labels, sometimes hotly debated among a certain type of person who likes to argue these things is sour mash. And it absolutely doesn’t mean that it’s sour it’s referring to the process that’s used to start, well, the process.
Before you even get to distillation, there’s fermentation. The Whiskey Still Company says that starts with fermenting a batch of grains with water and yeast. That’s eventually what produces the alcohol that’s separated during distillation and sometimes, after the distillation process, some of the spent mash is saved and added to the next batch of mash.
Why? Because reusing part of the mash makes it easier to control things like bacteria growth and flavor, and it also helps keep the batches consistent. It’s incredibly common, and in case you’ve ever noticed a product that’s labeled “Tennessee whiskey,” it’s legally got to be sour mash. Jim Beam doesn’t do it all the time, but when they do, you’ll see it on the label.
Whats The Recipe For Jim Beam
We cant tell you the exact recipe for our bourbonthats a family secret. But we can tell you that Jim Beam is produced from the fermentation and distillation of corn, rye, and malted barley.
We love the bourbon we make, but Beam Suntory does not advise legal-age adults whether or not to drink. Based on your personal situation and the ingredients above, your physician may be able to provide advice should you have further questions.
For more detailed nutritional information on each of our products, see our Jim Beam Nutritional Information. If you require more specific information, please contact us here.
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Bourbon Whiskey Was Thus Born
In 1795, Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of whiskey. Called ‘Old Jake Beam Sour Mash’, this whiskey was particularly popular among pioneers, farmers, and traders. The family distillery was known as ‘Old Tub’. Into the family’s seventh generation, the company brands its product as ‘World’s finest bourbons’ and boasts of famous Hollywood actress Mila Kunis as its brand ambassador.
More Beam To Go Around
Building off the success of Red Stag, Fred released Jim Beam® Devils Cut® in 2011a slightly sinister bourbon made from the liquid that becomes trapped within the wood of the barrel during aging. As if egging him on, Devil’s Cut® and Jim Beam Black® both earned gold medals at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Following this, Fred created a flurry of new liquids and limited-edition bottles.
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Old Crow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price:$13
The Whiskey:
This is a classic bourbon that became part of Jim Beam about 30-odd years ago. Until then, it was famed for being the drink of choice of President Grant back in the 1870s, which gave it a lot to hang its hat on, as a brand. The juice in the bottle is a year younger than a typical Jim Beam bourbon but still holds up to any other bottle in this price range.
Tasting Notes:
Theres a bit of sweetness on the opening thats very reminiscent of Beam while leaning into caramel and vanilla. An undercurrent of popcorn draws the sweetness back. The body of the sip is hot and not for the faint of heart while touching on caramel apples, more popcorn, and plenty of that vanilla.
The end is shortish, hot, and has a slight salted and buttered popcorn flourish.
Bottom Line:
The nickname for this bourbon is rotgut. Need we say more?
Jim Beam Jim Beam Bonded
Average Price:$22
The Whiskey:
This bourbon is Jim Beams high watermark when it comes to Kentucky bourbon. The juice is aged in a bottled-in-bond facility for four years where its also bottled at 100 proof with no bullshit. This is the standard Beam bourbon mash bill but theres just something extra happening that makes this expression shine.
Tasting Notes:
This bourbon beckons you in with notes of toasted oak, red cherry, and vanilla. That leads to fresh honey, sweet caramel corn, rich toffee, bold vanilla, crisp apple, more of that red cherry, peppery spice, and a note of fresh mint. With a little water, the dram edges towards bitter dark chocolate with a nice billow of pipe tobacco while holding onto the mint, toffee, and vanilla oakiness.
The end is long, meandering, and full of warmth, fruit, spice, and bourbon goodness.
Bottom Line:
I really wanted to rank this higher . Its absurd how well-rounded this whiskey is at this price point. Ive tasted bourbons that cost three times as much that are far more muddled or one-note than this. But, the next two bottles really are stellar.
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Jack Daniels Origin Story
Jack Daniel was also an actual historical figure, and he was a contemporary of Jim Beam. And as with many historical figures the life he lived reflected the times.
Jack Daniel learned the art of distilling from a slave when he was a young boy growing up in the Antebellum South. His teachers name was Nearest Green, and he invented a technique that filtered newmake spirit through sugar maple charcoal. This would eventually become known as the Lincoln County process, and it is what makes Tennessee whiskey unique in the world of distilled spirits.
After the war, Jack Daniel now a young man founded a new distillery in Moore County, Tennessee, in 1875. And Nearest Green now a freedman came to work for him as his head distiller.
Before modern distillation techniques, Jack Daniel and Nearest Green created a whiskey that used innovations like the Lincoln County and sour batch processes to create a more refined product than competitors, consistent from batch to batch.
The First Passingof The Torch
In 1820, Jacob Beam handed the distillery over to his sharp-as-a-tack son, David Beam. At this time in history, bourbon could only be practically distributed locally, so instead of bottling it and selling it in stores like we do today, people simply brought their own jugs to the distillery to fill them up straight from the barrel. David, however, could sense that a change was coming, and he had the foresight to enlarge the distillery for future growth and transition from pot stills to column stills to enable continuous operation. He also renamed the bourbon Old Tub® to match the name on the distillery.
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Enslaved Black Man Created Worlds Most Popular Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s is the world’s most popular whiskey brand, but until recently, few people knew the liquor was created by Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved Black man who mentored Daniel.
“We’ve always known,” says Debbie Staples, a great-great-granddaughter of Green’s who heard the story from her grandmother. “He made the whiskey, and he taught Jack Daniel. And people didn’t believe it it’s hurtful. I don’t know if it was because he was a Black man.”
But people believe it now in large part because Brown-Forman Corporation, owner of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, has acknowledged the foundational role Green played in the brand’s development.
“The truth of the matter is, Nearest Green was the first head distiller of Jack Daniels whiskey,” says Matt Blevins, global brand director for Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. “We’re very proud of this story and are very committed to amplifying it and acknowledging that. In the past, we did not amplify it the way that we could have in earlier eras, but we’re about the future and moving forward.”
America’s first-known Black master distiller
After emancipation in 1863, when all enslaved people were freed, Daniel purchased Call’s distillery and hired Green as Jack Daniel Distillery’s first master distiller.
There are no known pictures of Green, but there is one of Daniel with Green’s son, George, sitting next to Daniel, rather than being relegated to the back.
Search for the truth
Family business
How To Drink Jim Beam Whisky
A good, solid tumbler if youre drinking your whisky neat, or with a little water or ice. For long whisky drinks, use a highball a tall, slim, straight-sided glass.
Simply pour a measure of the whisky into your glass. Taking the glass by the stem or base, hold your nose inside the aperture and inhale gently.
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National Bourbon Heritage Month
In August 2007, the United States Senate declared that September is officially recognized as National Bourbon Heritage Month. The designation is designed to celebrate the significant historical, economic, and industrial role that the bourbon industry has played in the country’s history.
While this may not impact the average consumer, it is an honor for the people who have crafted bourbon over the years. It is a perfect excuse for the rest of us to talk about bourbon for an entire month and sample many of the great bourbon cocktails available.
You may also think about attending the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in the heart of bourbon country. This week-long party takes place in Bardstown, Kentucky, typically during the second week of September.
Whats In A Three Wise Men Shot
This one is hardcore.
The classic version calls for equal parts Johnnie Walker Scotch, Jack Daniels Whiskey, and Jim Beam Bourbon.
Do not ask me who came up with the idea of taking these prudent fellas on excursions to switch up the spirits.
My money is on a creative bartender -hope he or she got a good tip:)
Wild Turkey,Tequila Captain MorganAbsinthe.
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Knob Creek Knob Creek 12
Average Price:$70
The Whiskey:
This is classic Beam whiskey with a low-ish rye mash bill of 77 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and ten percent malted barley. The juice is then left alone in the Beam warehouses for 12 long years. The barrels are chosen according to a specific taste and married to create this higher-proof expression.
Tasting Notes:
Youre greeted with that classic Beam cherry that has dark chocolate and brandy candy depth alongside clear Christmas spices next to a hint of menthol tobacco. The spirit carries on those paths as it layers in buttery and sugary streusel over tart berries with plenty of that spice next to a nice dose of salted caramels covered in a bit of bitter dark chocolate. The finish is spicy and sweet and fades gradually.
Bottom Line:
This Knob Creek hits so many high marks. The most important one being that this is amazingly easy to drink while still having serious depth and nuance. Better still, you can easily get this pretty much anywhere for a reasonable price. There are ten-year-old bourbons out there that cost two or three times as much as this and arent quite as refined. That makes this todays winner overall.
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