Jim Beam Signature Craft Finished with Spanish Brandy

BourbonReviewsAmerican WhiskeyJim Beam

Oct 10

Written By David Levine

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Jim Beam Signature Craft Finished with Spanish Brandy

Jim Beam, finished in the “Finest Spanish Brandy"

43% ABV/86 Proof

NAS

Eye: Beautiful caramel color, thin-to-medium rims and quick thin legs.

Nose: Sweet brandy notes right up front. Sweet but acidic grape, not as syrupy as PX or as red-fruit-and-spice as an Oloroso sherry (yes I know this is a brandy finish but compare where you can…). Hints of bourbon underneath with a touch of vanilla, but the brandy dominates the nose.

Palate: The bourbon is stronger here but it’s still brandy’s show - grapes, wine, oaky tannin and body in a great way. Honestly this could be masked as a super aged brandy or armagnac and it would probably fit in a flight. Mouthfeel is coating, slightly tannic, becomes creamy as it sits in the mouth.

Finish: Finish lets just a peek of nuttiness out but it’s still a brandy party.

Overall: This is a great sipper. It drinks way above its proof - pleasant heat and great, oaky body. If anything, the simple problem is that its so brandy-dominated that I forgot this was a bourbon for a minute. Maybe a higher proof would let the bourbon play a part, but for now this is an example of over-finishing. Despite that…I look forward to finishing the bottle.

Rating: 6.0

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)