Distilled By: Jim Beam Distillery
Location: Clermont, KY
Parent Company: Beam Suntory
Class: KY Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 86 (43% ABV)
Age: 4 years
Mashbill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Jim Beam Repeal Batch is basically the same 4-year-old bourbon that is used for the standard white label offering, but there are a few differences that will make this one worth your time. The main differentiator is that this expression is non-chill-filtered and bottled at 6 proof points higher than white label. This was created as a commemorative offering celebrating the 85th anniversary of Repeal Day. It is supposed to result in a taste that more closely resembles the taste profile of their post-prohibition whiskey. Most consumers should be able to find this bottle for under $20.
BSG REVIEW:
Color: Golden with long, thin legs
Nose: Vanilla, popcorn, oak, almonds, clove
Palate: Oak forward, clove, butterscotch, cinnamon, corn
Finish: Oily, medium-long spice and honey
Jim Beam Repeal Batch starts of visually with some very long, thin legs down the side of the glass. The nose initially comes off with vanilla, popcorn and oak. After a few sips I also picked up some almonds and clove. The taste was very much oak forward with clove also on the front end. The transition back went from butterscotch and cinnamon to the familiar corn notes as it went down. The finish was oily and relatively long with a spiciness and some honey notes coming through at the very end.
I’m not usually a big fan of the entry-level offerings from Jim Beam, but this one has me intrigued enough to keep sipping. This is a well-done sub-90-proof offering that is sure to do well with consumers that don’t really want to move into higher proof bourbon, but still want a little more interesting experience than the old familiar college mixer in the white label bottle. I definitely recommend giving this one a shot. The price is right and I think they did a great job with the branding efforts for this throwback styling on the label. It makes this bottle look nice on the bar, too!
BSG Score: 75/100
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