Jim Beam
The world's best-selling bourbon, made by the same Kentucky family for seven generations. Everything you need to know about its varieties, taste, cocktails, and the right glass to serve it in.
Seven generations of the Beam family from Kentucky
Jim Beam dates back to 1795, when Jacob Beam sold his first barrels of whiskey in Kentucky. The family recipe has been passed down from generation to generation ever since; the brand bears the name of James B. Beam, who rebuilt the distillery in just 120 days after Prohibition ended in 1933. Today, the seventh generation of the Beam family is involved in production in Clermont, Kentucky.
Bourbon must meet strict requirements: at least 51% corn in the grain mix, aged in new, charred oak barrels, and made without additives. Those charred barrels give bourbon its distinctive notes of vanilla, caramel, and wood. Jim Beam White Label is aged for four years and has an alcohol content of 40%; there are also longer-aged versions and honey- and apple-flavored varieties.
At a glance
What types of Jim Beam are there?
Jim Beam White Label
The original: aged for four years, smooth and slightly sweet with vanilla and oak. The bourbon for cola, ginger ale, and classic cocktails.
Jim Beam Black
Aged longer in charred oak and bottled at 43%. Fuller and deeper, with caramel, cinnamon and a long, warm finish.
Jim Beam Double Oak
Aged not in one but two new charred oak barrels. Intense oak, caramel and toffee, yet still smooth.
Jim Beam Honey
Bourbon with real honey liqueur: sweet, smooth and warm, with caramel and vanilla underneath. Great with ginger ale.
Jim Beam Apple
Bourbon with refreshing apple liqueur. Surprisingly fresh and easy to drink; best with tonic or apple juice and plenty of ice.
Jim Beam White 1 liter
The liter bottle for your home bar or a party. Better value per glass if you pour a lot of bourbon and cola.
White Label is the all-rounder; Black and Double Oak are for sipping neat.
Vanilla, caramel and charred oak
Vanilla & oak
Sweet vanilla, caramel and toasted oak, with a hint of corn and cinnamon. Instantly recognizable as bourbon.
Smooth and slightly sweet
Smooth and rounded, with caramel, vanilla and oak notes. Less sharp than many other whiskies, making it approachable.
Warm and short
A warm, slightly spicy finish with oak and pepper. Black and Double Oak linger noticeably longer.
Jim Beam White Label flavor profile. Black and Double Oak score higher for spice and strength; Honey and Apple score 5/5 for sweetness.
Three ways to drink Jim Beam
Jim Beam is made for mixing. Cola or ginger ale will do the trick; on the rocks brings out the vanilla and oak notes.
As a highball
Pour 50 ml Jim Beam and 150 ml ginger ale into a long glass filled with ice, and add a slice of lemon. The ginger and bourbon’s vanilla notes complement each other. It works just as well with cola.
Highball recipe →On the rocks
Pour 5 cl Jim Beam Black over one large ice cube in a tumbler. The ice melts slowly, bringing out the caramel and oak notes without diluting the whiskey.
Glass: tumbler →As a Whiskey Sour
Shake 50 ml Jim Beam, 25 ml lemon juice, 15 ml sugar syrup and a splash of egg white vigorously, then strain over ice. Sweet, sour and topped with foam: the best way to get to know bourbon.
To the recipe →The best cocktails with Jim Beam
Whiskey Sour
Bourbon, lemon, sugar, and egg white. The classic introduction to bourbon.
Old Fashioned
Bourbon, sugar, Angostura, and a large ice cube. At its best with Black or Double Oak.
Mint Julep
Bourbon with mint, sugar, and crushed ice. The drink of the Kentucky Derby.
Manhattan
Whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Sweeter and rounder with bourbon than with rye.The right glass for Jim Beam
A heavy tumbler for on the rocks and an Old Fashioned, a highball glass for bourbon with cola or ginger ale, and a mixing glass for stirring. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Jim Beam
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What is the alcohol percentage of Jim Beam?
What exactly is bourbon?
What is the difference between Jim Beam and Jack Daniel's?
What's the difference between White Label and Black?
What goes best with Jim Beam?
Is Jim Beam Honey still whiskey?
Buy Jim Beam
Want the bottle delivered right away? Order Jim Beam online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 8 varieties, 6 of which are on sale.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; it won't cost you anything extra. No 18, no alcohol.
