I've Tried Hundreds of Expensive Whiskeys, but I Always Reach for This Affordable Bourbon

I’ve spent almost two decades tasting and writing about alcohol. When it comes to spirits, I’ve likely sampled bourbon more than any other form of alcohol, with single malt Scotch whisky being a close second.

So, saying that I’ve enjoyed hundreds—if not thousands—of bourbons over the years is a pretty accurate statement. In that time, I’ve tried some ridiculously expensive, knock-your-socks-off rare expressions. It’s simply part of the job.

But I’ve also spent a long time imbibing inexpensive but high-quality whiskey. I’m talking about $20 bottles as opposed to bottles selling on the secondary market for thousands of dollars. And when I tell you that there’s a bargain-priced expression from one of the most well-known bourbon brands of all time that you need to stock on your home bar immediately, you can believe me or not. That’s up to you.

That said, few names in the bourbon world are more prominent than Jim Beam. This iconic brand has been crafting award-winning, noteworthy whiskeys since it released its first whiskey in 1795. Fred Noe and his son Freddie are the eighth and ninth generation master distillers at Jim Beam, which makes it a historic family brand.

You can’t go wrong with one of Jim Beam's classics, like Jim Beam White Label, Jim Beam Double Oak, Jim Beam Single Barrel, or one of the company's other brands like Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, or Old Grand-Dad. But the expression I always stock on my home bar is Jim Beam Black.

When it was first introduced in 1978, this expression was referred to as “Double Aged.” The moniker referred to the fact that this expression matured twice as long as the classic Jim Beam White Label, which is aged for four years. The new expression matured for eight years.

The current iteration, which was recently relaunched, is matured for seven years in heavily charred new American oak barrels. It was made with a mash bill of 77 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley. It’s known for its complex, nuanced flavor profile with magnified aromas and flavors compared to the classic expression.

The result is a memorable mellow whiskey that begins with a nose of raisins, toasted vanilla beans, butterscotch, charred wood, and gentle spices. Sipping it reveals a mix of sticky toffee, cinnamon, candied orange peels, dark chocolate, cracked black pepper, toasted vanilla beans, dried fruits, and oaky wood. The finish warms and lingers, melding notes of candied nuts, vanilla, and wintry spices.

The best part? This complex, 7-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon is incredibly inexpensive. In a world of overpriced whiskey, the suggested retail price for Jim Beam Black is only $25. When it comes to price-to-value ratio, this is one of the best bargains in the bourbon world. This alone makes it a must-have whiskey for your home bar cart or liquor cabinet.

But, regardless of the price, I’d never refer to this as a “cheap” whiskey. That diminishes and undermines the quality of this release. It’s a highly versatile expression for half the price of comparable expressions. It’s the kind of bottle you’ll buy one time and then never want to be without.

You’ll have a tough time finding a better value sipper for the price. You’ll have no problem drinking it neat or on the rocks. It’s also an excellent base for your favorite whiskey cocktails. Its rich, memorable flavor palate won’t get lost in the shuffle in any cocktail. Try it in an old fashioned, whiskey sour, Manhattan, Sazerac, and beyond. You’ll be pleased you did. 

Related: I've Tasted Thousands of Whiskeys. Every Home Bar Needs This Affordable Bourbon