Country – Region: USA – Kentucky
Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Age: 4
Cask: American White Oak
ABV: 50%
Proof: 100
Price: $20
Nose: Caramel, candied orange, nutmeg, yeasty, floral, oak spices
Palate: Caramel, toffee, kettle corn, hazelnuts, honey, apricot, cinnamon
Finish: Heated spices, long, dry, cloves, toasted oak, white peppers .
Jim Beam introduced this limited edition bottled in bond bourbon this year and it came in front of me when we did the 20 Bourbon Blind Tasting with Southern California Whiskey Club. I liked the sample very much and found a bottle to review today. Old Tub Bottled In Bond can change the way you think about bourbon.
What Is Special About It?
Old Tub Bottled In Bond Bourbon is simply non-chill filtered Jim Beam White bottled at 50% abv. It is bottled in bond bourbon so there is guaranteed aging of 4+ years. Another special thing about the whiskey is the price tag that comes with it. In many places, you can find it for around $20. Which is quite exciting.
How Does It Taste?
The nose starts with caramel and candied orange which then slightly turns to the floral side that appears hand in hand with yeasty aromas. Oak spices, nutmeg, apple pie joins the fun later on. The palate is creamy and starts with corn sweetness, toffee and caramel. Hazelnuts appear with honey, apricot and cinnamon. Around the back a peppery character appears which is more dominant on the finish. The finish has heated spices, it is long with cloves, toasted oak and white peppers.
Verdict
Jim Beam released this bourbon as a salutation to the old days. It has an oak-driven but balanced and delightful taste which is really joyful. No carbon and no chill filtration has actually paid off for this whiskey. Though, 10% increase in abv has worked so well that I want to get a few more bottles before it ends. Or, maybe it will become a permanent addition and we will be merrier.
The price tag will also increase my rating for this bottle. $20 for the quality is just so good! Thank you Jim Beam.
