Hey there! As you're reading this, I'm off on an adventure in the Dolomites—hiking, tackling some via ferratas, and soaking up the stunning scenery, fresh mountain air, and the peaceful embrace of nature.

But today, our whiskey journey continues in the USA as we explore another affordable bourbon worth checking out: Jim Beam Black 7 Year Old.

I was especially curious about this bottle because the opinions from trusted reviewers were surprisingly divided.

Take Jordan Moskal from Breaking Bourbon, for example. He noted:

"I had high expectations for Jim Beam Black 7 Year since it has all the right ingredients to be at least an average bourbon: adequate age, 90 proof, and affordable. Yet the bourbon still falls short on its delivery. The whiskey's sip takes little effort to stand out, and once you get past its nose, it feels like it's phoning it in and failing in the process."

On the other hand, Ed from Bourbon Obsessed had a much more favorable take:

"Jim Beam Black Aged 7 Years is a solid, flavorful bourbon that most bourbon drinkers will enjoy. Given its relatively low proof, this would be a nice pour for those starting out in bourbon."

Let's hop in and see what this bottle has to offer us!

But before we go any further, please check out my previous reviews.🥃✅

The history of the distillery

The story of Jim Beam begins in 1795, when German immigrant Johannes "Jacob" Beam first sold his corn whiskey, known then as Old Jake Beam Sour Mash. Through generations, the Beam family played a key role in shaping bourbon history. David Beam moved the distillery closer to railroad lines in Nelson County, expanding distribution during the 19th century.

The most iconic figure, James Beauregard Beam—"Jim" Beam—rebuilt the business from scratch after Prohibition, reopening in Clermont, Kentucky in 1935. The brand was renamed "Jim Beam" in his honor in 1943. Over the years, the company changed hands several times and was ultimately acquired by Japan's Suntory Holdings in 2014, rebranded as Suntory Global Spirits in 2024. The Beam family legacy continues today with Fred Noe and his son Freddie, representing the seventh and eighth generations.

Production

Jim Beam operates two massive facilities near Clermont, Kentucky: the historic main distillery and the more industrial Booker Noe plant. Together, they produce bourbon at a scale few can rival. Despite the volume, traditional bourbon-making practices remain firmly in place.

The distillation starts with a sour mash made from corn, rye, and malted barley. This is fermented using a proprietary yeast strain (from where the nutty characteristic of Jim Beam comes from) that dates back to Prohibition's end. The mash is distilled in a large copper column still, followed by a doubler, resulting in a spirit of around 67.5% ABV—well below the legal maximum, which helps preserve flavor.

Beam's commitment to flavor extends to barreling practices. The distillate enters new, charred American oak barrels at a lower proof, meaning less dilution before bottling. This yields a whiskey richer in oak influence and fuller in character—though it requires more barrels per batch.

Aging

Jim Beam's vast rickhouses once held nearly 2 million barrels—a staggering scale matched by few others. The multi-story warehouses, some nine stories tall, take full advantage of Kentucky's climate, using seasonal temperature swings to deepen the whiskey's interaction with the oak.

The barrels themselves are made of American white oak, charred to caramelize wood sugars that impart vanilla, spice, and rich caramel notes. Higher racks experience greater heat, accelerating aging, while lower levels age more slowly. This variety offers distillers a wide palette of flavors when creating blends or selecting single barrels. Beam's entry proof is also lower than many distilleries, extracting more nuanced oak character and requiring less water for proofing.

The core range and other brands produced at the distillery

Jim Beam

• White Label – Flagship 4-year bourbon, 40% ABV
• Black – Aged 7 years, 45% ABV
• Devil's Cut – Bourbon with spirit extracted from inside the barrel wood
• Double Oak – Finished in a second oak barrel for extra richness
• Single Barrel – Individually selected barrels, varying proofs
• Rye – Straight rye whiskey
• Honey – Bourbon liqueur infused with honey
• Apple – Bourbon liqueur with green apple flavor
• Peach – Bourbon liqueur with peach flavor
• Vanilla – Bourbon liqueur with vanilla
• Orange – Citrus-flavored bourbon liqueur
• Red Stag – Black cherry-infused bourbon
• Maple – (Discontinued in some markets)
• Sunshine Blend – Bourbon made with brown rice
• Winter Reserve – Limited release with toasted barrel finish

Knob Creek

• Knob Creek 9 Year
• Knob Creek Rye
• Knob Creek 12 Year
• Knob Creek 15 Year (limited)
• Knob Creek Single Barrel

Booker's & Baker's

• Uncut, unfiltered small batch releases (usually aged 6–8 years, ~63% ABV)
• 7-year small batch
• Single barrel expression, 7+ years, 107 proof

Basil Hayden's

• High-rye, 40% ABV, light-bodied
• Also includes limited variations like:
• Basil Hayden Toast
• Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish
• Basil Hayden Dark Rye
• Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke

Old Crow – Value bourbon label

Old Grand-Dad – High-rye bourbon (80, 100, and 114 proof)

Old Taylor – Former Beam brand, now owned by Sazerac

Bourbon DeLuxe – Budget bourbon

Sunny Brook – Primarily a blended whiskey (limited distribution)

As you can see, they produce a lot of whiskey.

Jim Beam Black 7 yo - Natural Color, Non-chill filtered, 45%

Classification: Straight Bourbon

Company: Beam Suntory

Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery

Release Date: June 2024

Proof: 90 Proof

Age: 7 Years

Mashbill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley

Jim Beam Black has returned with a fresh new look, a restored 7-year age statement, and an increased proof of 90. After dropping its previous 8-year age statement in 2016 for the "Extra Aged" label, the brand now repositions itself with a more premium feel and packaging. While age statements faded industry-wide in the 2010s, they've seen a comeback in recent years. Jim Beam Black joins that trend, signaling a renewed focus on transparency and heritage.

Nose: Inviting aromas of roasted nuts, brown sugar, and vanilla cream lead the way, followed by sweet corn and a gentle touch of cinnamon. There's a subtle fruitiness in the background, with hints of banana and fresh orange slices adding brightness.

Taste: Light in texture with a gradually building warmth. The flavor opens with dry, nutty notes layered with brown sugar and smooth butterscotch. Creamy vanilla and toasted oak emerge mid-palate, complemented by orange peel, cherries, and a touch of red berries.

Finish: Medium in length, showcasing sweet and spicy tones. Almond and roasted nuts linger alongside cinnamon, cracked black pepper, and soft vanilla. Hints of molasses, poached apple, caramelized orange, roasted banana, and dry oak round it out nicely.

Overall, I think this is a very solid bourbon—definitely a 7/10 in my book. It's a great example of what Jim Beam does well: that classic nutty profile, plenty of brown sugar and vanilla, and some nice layers of stone fruits and gentle spice. The 7 years of aging adds a respectable level of oak and complexity, making it feel more mature than its price suggests. At just around 20€ for 700ml, it's an incredible value and absolutely recommended for everyday sipping.

This bottle scores 80.5 on my Seal of Approval scale, definitely earning the WhiskyJourneyz Seal of Approval at 20€ a bottle.

Some of the photos featured in this article are not my own; I've credited the original owners. All other images bearing my logo were taken and are owned by me.

Feel free to check out the scores and rankings I've given to each whisky I reviewed.

Thanks for reading—I hope you enjoyed it! Here's to many more drams. Sláinte!

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