Jim Beam is a brand of American bourbon whiskey produced in Clermont, Kentucky. It is made from a mixture of corn, malted barley, and rye, with a typical alcohol strength of 40-43% ABV.
History
The brand dates back to 1795 when farmer Jacob Beam founded a distillery to produce his own bourbon. The business was passed down through seven generations of the Beam family, with James B. Beam rebuilding the distillery after Prohibition. The brand was renamed Jim Beam in 1943 in honor of James B. Beam. In 2014, the brand was acquired by Japanese company Suntory Holdings and became part of Beam Suntory.
How it is made
Jim Beam bourbon is made from a mixture of corn, malted barley, and rye. The corn mash is cooked at approximately 105°C (220°F) with some pressure, then the other ingredients are added. The mixture is cooked at different temperatures and thoroughly mixed. Enzymes from the barley break down the starches into sugar. The bourbon is distilled in a high still with a rectifying column. The distillate reaches 67.5% ABV (135 proof) before being reduced to the required strength. By law, bourbon must be aged for at least 2 years, but Jim Beam bourbons are aged for a minimum of 4 years.
Types and styles
Jim Beam produces several varieties of bourbon, including White label (4 or 7 years aged, 40% ABV), Green label (5 years aged, 40% ABV), Black label (6 or 8 years aged, 43% ABV), and Yellow label (4 years aged, 40% ABV). The brand also produces premium bourbons in limited batches such as Booker's, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's, Baker's, and others.
How it is served
Jim Beam bourbon can be served neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. On this site, you can find cocktails using Jim Beam such as 3 Wise Men and Shot-gun. The bourbon's caramel and vanilla notes make it suitable for both sipping and mixing in various cocktail recipes.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Jim Beam, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.