Jim Beam Whole Rolled Oat Harvest Bourbon stems from the same experiments as the rest of the Harvest Collection and supposedly eschews the use of rye for the use of whole rolled oats. These experiments are a lot of dun to taste and highlight two different things. #1 The impact of rye on the traditional Jim Beam mashbill by noticing the absence. #2 The impact non-traditional grains have on corn based mashbill.
Whole rolled oats are oat grains that have been husked and flattened by giant rollers; they then get a light toasting to keep them from falling apart after being squished. The flattened oat grain retains some of its bran which contains an enzyme that will breakdown the oat if left to its natural ways. This makes me wonder if / how that enzyme plays into the fermentation process of the Jim Beam Whole Rolled Oat Harvest Bourbon. It would be fascinating to know what the differences were between the distiller’s beer of this and the regular Jim Beam.
I feel like Jim Beam missed an opportunity here with the Harvest Collection. Instead of being secretive and withholding information it would have been fascinating to know as much as possible about all of the harvest bourbons (mashbill, wort sugar levels, distiller’s beer ph, etc.) and show the comparisons to the traditional Jim Beam. Present it like a massive science experiment for bourbon nerds everywhere to explore, theorize and discuss together… I need to own a distillery.
Jim Beam Whole Rolled Oat Harvest Bourbon Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Jim Beam
Mashbill: At least 51% Corn, some Whole Rolled Oats and Malted Barley
Cask: New-Charred Oak
Age: 11 Years
ABV: 45%
Price: $47*
Jim Beam Whole Rolled Oat Harvest Bourbon Review
EYE
Coppery
NOSE
Toffee, dark fruit, oak, mint, ‘Nilla Wafers, cocoa, nutmeg and light notes of brown sugar, maple donuts, peanuts and soap. Not bad. Inviting, but not deep.
PALATE
Oak, toffee, peanuts, spice, dried dark fruit, citrus peels and light notes of cocoa, spice and vanilla with a touch of soap as it heads to the finish. Like the aroma it’s pleasant.
FINISH
Medium, vanilla heavy, fade of toffee, peanuts, maple donuts and again a bit of soap.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and a round smooth feel.
OVERALL
Jim Beam Whole Rolled Oat Harvest Bourbon is not too shabby. It’s a bit on the light side, but retains an inviting character with a soft sweet bourbon-like aroma and mild palate. It’s interesting to see the similarities and differences between this, the Corsair Oatrage and batch two of the High West Valley Tan. It seems like oats bring fruit and sweet “breakfast notes” to the party (think french toast not eggs and bacon).
While it’s decidedly “not too shabby” it’s also not one I’m clamoring for them to create more of. It was an interesting experiment, but not one I’d buy a full sized bottle of if they released it. Still, like the rest of the collection, it’s a whiskey that’s worth experiencing. Especially if you’re a whiskey nerd who’s curious about the role non-traditional grains can play in a whiskey.
SCORE: 85/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This Jim Beam Whole Rolled Oat Harvest Bourbon was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.