Jim Beam Orange

Continuing my tasting of mini bottles: Smells like Tang--the powdered kind that went to space with our astronauts. OK, Tang plus floral orange soda. Childhood sensory memories. First sip. Hey, someone didn't put enough Tang powder in the water! But then I always liked my Tang 2:1, supercharged, so you drank and chewed the undissolved crystals. My dirty little secret. Point being, it's thin orange water. Sweet, "juicy," hint of alcohol, there and then GONE. Imagine one of those orange ice pops in the clear cellophane sleeves, cut off the top and push up from the bottom. Now imagine it without enough citric acid, so it's just floral orange. Bingo. But then... not really. Who or what is this for? Gulping out of an ice filled cup, maybe with sparking water or soda (unnecessary but...), on a boat in the middle of a lake on a hot sunny day. That's likely WHERE the idea for Orange Beam originated. Easier than hauling coolers full of beer. Less pee in the water. Win-win. But then again... not really. Go ahead, try it. You know you want to--there's that Tang memory to revisit.

Continuing my mini bottle tasting: It smells like Tang, the powdered kind sent to space with astronauts. Also, Tang and flowery orange soda. Childhood memories. First taste. Someone didn't mix enough Tang powder in! But I always preferred mine super strong, 2:1, so you drank and chewed the undissolved bits. My guilty pleasure. Essentially, it's weak orange water. Sweet, "juicy," a little alcohol, present and then VANISHED. Picture those orange ice pops in plastic wrap, push it up from the bottom. Now remove some citric acid, so it's just flowery orange. That's it. But maybe not. Who would like this? Sipping it from a glass full of ice, perhaps with soda or sparkling water (not needed though...), on a boat on a warm sunny day. That's probably the context for this creation. Simpler than lugging coolers of beer. Less peeing in the water. Good for everyone. But again... maybe not. Give it a shot. You're curious--that Tang memory is calling.

Let's be clear, this is a liqueur, not a bourbon. The label states "peach liqueur infused with Kentucky straight bourbon." Most stores and bars seem to display it right next to Jim Beam bourbon as if they were closely related - hardly. A friend suggested I try this (and the orange one), saying he really enjoyed a shot or two from the fridge while watching TV. To be fair, these (and the orange one) are quite good examples of a rather tasty fruit liqueur. The flavor seems quite real, not artificial, and the hint of oak and vanilla from the bourbon seems to create a more well-rounded flavor. As long as you understand you're getting a liqueur and not a flavored bourbon, you should be pleased with your purchase. This bottle is 32.5% ABV. If they used standard 30% ABV liqueur and standard 40% ABV bourbon, the math indicates that this 750 ml bottle contains 187.5 ml of bourbon. In other words, one-fourth of the bottle.

A pronounced orange liqueur aroma and flavor. The bourbon notes are quite faint (though, not as much as some other Jim Beam flavored liqueurs). The bourbon taste does appear intermittently, which is a positive. The bourbon is more noticeable than in certain other Jim Beam flavored liqueurs. Nevertheless, the dominant flavors are from the orange liqueur, with the bourbon notes present in the background. It's enjoyable and works well. Consumed neat. Golden hue. Orange scent. Flavors include orange, citrus, sweetness, and a subtle oakiness. Light in body.

This has a clear, slightly orangish-gold appearance. The aroma is of orange juice and orange peel, with some bourbon corn sweetness. The flavor is of sugary-sweet orange juice, bitter orange peel, and vanilla, likely from the bourbon. The body is medium, and it has a semi-sweet finish.

Well... overpowering orange... no spirit characteristics... warming down the throat but pretty smooth. I definitely get that tangy sensation another reviewer mentioned. It's not bad... and my rating reflects it not as a spirit but just a general rating.