Jim Beam Signature Craft Whole Rolled Oat Bourbon 11 Year

It appears I enjoyed this more than most others. Perhaps I was simply in the right frame of mind. Nose: Quite rich and earthy for something that still recognizably tastes of bourbon. Typical Jim Beam peanut shells and cherry notes are present on the nose and carry through to the palate. Palate: A touch of cinnamon spice, but certainly not as fiery as a heavily rye-spiced bourbon. The oats are noticeable, although they don't dominate. If someone offered this to me blind and then revealed it was Jim Beam, I would believe them, but I would wonder what had been done to it. It's as if a spoonful of slow-cooked oats and brown sugar were added to a bottle of slightly high-proof Beam. You might not love it, but it's difficult to dislike. Finish: The spice and sugar fade fairly quickly, leaving an oily sensation behind. I appreciated that. Overall: I'm pleased I sampled this, but I'm also glad I purchased it at a $20 discount from the $50 MSRP. It possesses more character than many bourbons and offers a pleasant variation on the standard Beam profile, but paying full price is due to the bottle's scarcity rather than its exceptional quality. In other words, a decent whiskey, though not a fantastic value.

Very aromatic, I can smell it just by holding the glass. Earthy notes, like mushrooms, truffles, and soil, are present along with the more typical caramel. There's also a hint of fresh linens. Some of the earthy notes carry over to the palate. It's sharp, with some herbal honey and a touch of the usual Beam cherry. The spice lingers, but the rest of the finish is quite short. I'd consider this an experimental success; you can tell there's a different grain in the mash bill. 7/15/18

Definitely very oaty. I wasn't thrilled with it; it was pretty average, and the finish tasted like I had just eaten a mouthful of steel-cut oats with sugar sprinkled on top.

My top pick from the Signature Craft line; I'm surprised it doesn't have a higher rating. The nutty character is definitely present in both aroma and taste. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's not bad, just unique. I detect a slight warmth, but it's more like cinnamon than the peppery heat of rye. I'm pleased to have experienced this.

Alcohol is present in the aroma; it's nice with ice.