(Photo: Suntory Global Spirits)
On Tuesday, Jim Beam toasted its imminent 230th anniversary with its first private barrel program aimed at consumers.
The whiskey giant announced that guests at its Clermont, Kentucky facility can now become "master distiller for a day," touring the rackhouses as they pick a bespoke cask of Knob Creek bourbon or rye. The Private Barrel Club will be exclusive to Knob Creek for the time being, though Beam-distilled favorites like Booker's, Old Overholt, Basil Hayden and Baker's may become available in months and years to come.
The private tour will reportedly include a behind-the-scenes look at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus including a stop at the Fred B. Noe Distillery. After tasting and selecting their barrel, guests need only wait 90 to 120 days to pick up their bottles and bring them home.
Prices are said to vary depending on the bottling yield. The typical Knob Creek barrel yields between 100-175 bottles, prices for which begin at a minimum of $59.99. Each bottle features a label that can be personalized with up to 41 characters.
If you and a group of up to seven other guests are interested, check out the Beam Private Barrel Club Booking link here.
“The Beam Private Barrel Club is something we’ve been working on for years – even decades now,” Noe shared in a news release. “As we celebrate the 230th year of Jacob Beam selling his first barrel, we want to commemorate this milestone by further welcoming whiskey lovers into our family offering members the ability to own a barrel, exclusively their own. As the sign says, come as friends, leave as family, and the new Beam Private Barrel Club does just that.”
Up until now, Beam single barrels have been limited to industry insiders, liquor store owners, bartenders and the otherwise alcohol influential. We've tried our fair share of Knob Creek single barrel selects over the years and have, for the most part, been wildly impressed by the results.
Though you're unlikely to find these anytime soon, we'd shout out K&L Wines 13-year Selection Barrel #5253 (rich in cherry cordials and tobacco) and PPLD-TWES Juice #3933 (gobs of honey-roasted peanuts and graham cracker). Our personal favorite would have to be a 15-year Barrel Seekers First Pick we tried a few years back, hands down one of our favorite offerings we've ever tried from the brand.
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