Jim Beam

The family behind the Jim Beam brand – originally German immigrants named Böhm – remains involved with the distillery to this day, now in its seventh generation. As the second best-selling whiskey in the United States, Jim Beam is also the undisputed number one among straight bourbons.

Jim Beam stands for classic Kentucky straight bourbon: matured at least four years in freshly charred white oak casks, sweet and spicy with vanilla and light oak. From Jim Beam Black to Booker's, named after master distiller Booker Noe, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.

How did the immigrant Böhm family become the Beam bourbon dynasty?

Jim Beam's roots lie in Germany, with the immigrant Böhm family. The name Jim Beam goes back to James B. Beam, who, already in his late sixties, rebuilt the brand within a few months after the end of Prohibition in 1933, laying the foundation for its success ever since. His grandson, Frederick "Booker" Noe II, served as master distiller for over 40 years and, from 1978, began producing bourbon again using the traditional small-batch method for the first time – in 1987, Booker's became the Beam family's first small-batch bourbon. Since 1992, Fred Noe III has carried on the distilling tradition as the seventh generation of the family.

What makes Jim Beam a classic straight bourbon?

Straight bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn; Jim Beam specifically uses 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley. After distillation, the whiskey matures for at least four years in freshly charred American white oak casks – with no colouring or other additives, as required by the "straight" designation.

Overview of the most popular bottlings

1. Jim Beam Black
The matured premium variant of the standard bourbon.
Taste: Vanilla, fresh hay, and light oak, somewhat bolder than the white-label Jim Beam.
Serving suggestion: Neat or in a classic Old Fashioned.

2. Knob Creek
One of the well-known sister brands in the Beam portfolio.
Taste: Bold and spicy with an intense oak note.
Serving suggestion: For anyone wanting a fuller-bodied bourbon.

3. Booker's
Named after master distiller Booker Noe, the brand's first small-batch bourbon.
Taste: Undiluted and intense with deep caramel and spice.
Serving suggestion: For experienced bourbon drinkers who appreciate cask strength.

Facts and figures

Address: Clermont, Kentucky. Mash bill: 77% corn, 13% rye, 10% malted barley. Other brands in the portfolio: Old Grand-Dad, Old Crow, Baker's, Basil Hayden's, Old Overholt.