Discover everything you need to know about the Jim Beam Black Extra Aged in this in-depth review that answers all your related questions!
What is the Jim Beam Black Extra Aged?
While the regular Jim Beam is aged for around 4 years the Black Extra Aged is aged twice as long in new charred, American oak barrels, hence the name.
Jim Beam Black tasting notes: How does it taste?
| Nose | Caramel, cherry, vanilla, oak |
| Palate | Corn, vanilla, caramel, oak, peppercorn |
| Finish | Earthy, chocolate, corn, barrel char |
| Alcohol content | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| How to drink | Rocks |
| Similar to | Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam Devil’s Cut |
The nose brings caramel and vanilla at first, followed by vanilla and a tad of oak.
On the palate, the Black Label feels somewhat warm but nothing too severe. Flavor delivers sweet corn up-front, followed by vanilla, caramel, oak and roasted peanuts. It gives a bit of pepper tingle but settles down fast.
The finish has a decent length, with a bit of a bite, with an earthy/ashy note to it, leaving an aftertaste of chocolate, corn and barrel char behind.
Drinking it rocks makes it better as you get more vanilla and caramel on the palate, while reducing the peppery sting.
Jim Beam Black Extra Aged rating: Is it Good?
Better than the regular Jim Beam
The Black Label is an upgrade over the classic Jim Beam (which is not a great achievement) as the extended aging removed some of the hard edges and weird tasting notes of the best-selling bourbon across the planet.
It’s bottled at a higher proof than the regular (86 vs 80) giving more body to an overly thin and watered-down pour providing a better mouthfeel.
Still far from being an elite bourbon but its affordable price makes it a good option when looking for something to make affordable highballs as the charred oak and peppery notes make this cocktail more interesting.
If you are fond of Jim Beam you are likely to enjoy it, if you are new to this brand the market is flooded with better options.
Jim Beam Extra Aged: Alternatives
Wild Turkey 101
For a few more dollars you can buy the Wild Turkey 101 which also has a high charred oak note but is way better as it’s bottled at a higher proof (101 vs 86) that doesn’t neither warm nor peppery.
This bourbon is a champ in terms of value making a great whiskey to make cocktails and good on its own as you can sip it rocks.
At the same proof the Old Forester 86 makes a better alternative as it has a more robust flavor profile and is quite smooth making a better sipper.
How to drink Jim Beam Black?
Cocktails
This is not a good sipper as it feels somewhat warm and peppery but works well in homemade cocktails as its price allows for experimentation.
You can make a pretty decent Old Fashioned with it as that cocktail gets better when you use a peppery whiskey.
Jim Beam Extra Aged: Mash bill
75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley
This is the same mash used not only to make the regular Jim Beam, but also the Knob Creek, along other premium releases such as Booker’s and Baker’s.
Barrel management provides enough contrasts to make the bourbons different.
Jim Beam Black: Age
No age statement
It doesn’t have an age statement but is aged for around 8 years.
Is it chill-filtered?
Yes
Jim Beam Black Label is a chill-filtered bourbon which is the norm across releases at this price range.
Jim Beam Black Extra Aged: Price
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Drizly | $24 |
| Total Wine | $18 |
Jim Beam Black: Alcohol content
86 proof (43% ABV)
This is an upgrade over the regular Jim Beam that is bottled at a mere 80 proof. This means the bourbon went through less water dilution providing a more flavorful and better bodied whiskey.
Does it expire?
Liquor does not expire
It will last for years if not decades as long as you store it in a cool place and away from the sunlight.
I strongly suggest drinking it ASAP once the content is down to 25% as liquors start developing awkward notes past this level.
I have no scientific explanation for this but I have lost some good pours for not adhering to this rule.
Jim Beam Extra Aged: Cheat Sheet
| Type of Whiskey | Bourbon |
| Age statement | NAS (8 Years) |
| Proof | 86 |
| ABV | 43% |
| Is it good? | Bearable |
| Is it top-shelf? | No |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Sweet? | Moderately |
| Warm? | A bit |
| Peaty? | No |
| Good for beginners? | No |
| Good for cocktails? | Yes |
| Good with Coke? | Not the best |
| Calories per shot | 108 |
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Keto-friendly | Yes |
I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should!