Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece is an “extra aged” Jim Beam bourbon that’s been finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, bottled at 100 Proof and is a throwback to the original Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece that Fred’s dad Booker released back in 99. Finished in cognac barrels, the original languished on the shelves for years due to its astronomical $250 price tag. This is the same era when people laughed at other now famous premium bourbons priced at $60 – $80. How times have changed.
In Jim Beam’s Words: Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece
“La crème de la crème. The best of the best. This is the rarest and highest-quality bourbon created by 7th-generation master distiller Fred Noe, inspired by his dad’s original “masterpiece.”
Sip it straight, chilled, or on the rocks. Enjoy the fruity aroma from the sherry casks combined with the vanilla oaky cooperage notes to round off the flavorful and mature taste of our most exquisite bourbon.”
I will say that I didn’t care for it chilled or on the rocks. I though it muted the bourbon notes too much and made the PX notes more prominent and it ended up reminding me more of the Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey than anything else. As an FYI, the notes below in the Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece review were done at room temp in a Glencairn as always.
Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mashbill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak and ex-PX Sherry Casks
Age: NAS – “Extra Aged”
ABV: 50%
Price: $190*
Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece Review
EYE
Old blood
NOSE
Oak, dried dark fruit, complex spice, cinnamon, nuts, light bits of waxy licorice and smarties with just a touch of caramel. It has a nice aroma that sits been darkly sweet and rustic but leans towards the dark fruity PX notes.
PALATE
Sherry, dried dark fruit, spice, marmalade, cocoa and a bit of toasted bread, vanilla, toffee and oak. Like the aroma it has a nice balance between the rustic and darkly sweet notes with the PX weighing in a bit heavier.
FINISH
Long fade of dried dark fruit, caramel, vanilla, oak and sherry.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, full body and a syrupy feel.
OVERALL
The Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece is quite nice. It’s a little rough around the edges and feels like it’s on its way to elegance, but hasn’t quite made it there yet. For my tastes I think it needs to be an older, even more oak driven, bourbon that goes into those super sweet PX casks to fully balance it out. As it sits now the balance is precarious, like if it had been left in those PX casks another week it would have taken over.
All-in-all the Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece has a bold character and I’m digging it. I’ve had it 4 or 5 times before this review and always enjoyed it, but never considered it a must have. I know some have a visceral hate for this whiskey, but it makes a decent daily for me. In-fact, between August when I got the bottle and now I’ve finished the bottle. My friends did help a bit, but it was quite literally my daily drinker for a while. Really not a bad whiskey.
SCORE: 87/100 (B+)
*Disclosure: This Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
