Jim Beam Sunshine Blend

Review of Jim Beam's Sunshine Blend at 80 proof. Enjoying the changing seasons and a sip of Jim Beam. This whiskey is from a brand with a long history, originating from a distiller who sold his first barrel of corn whiskey in Kentucky over two centuries ago. The family continues to craft bourbon using traditional methods. Today's featured release is a limited-edition seasonal offering: Jim Beam Sunshine Blend - 80 proof / 40% ABV - Aged 4 years - Mashbill: 77% corn, 13% rye, 10% malted barley - Unique characteristic: This blend includes brown rice bourbon mixed with the standard spirit for a touch of sunshine. This particular bottle was acquired in July 2024 for $17 and is ideal for beach drinking. It's mellow, suitable for mixing, and great for sharing, especially with a friend who enjoys sipping by the coast. This pour begins with the signature Jim Beam DNA from its corn, rye, and malted barley mashbill, then adds a seasonal touch that makes it worthwhile for various occasions, from sunny days to casual outings with friends. To find out how it compares to your usual Beam or a favored Black Label, you'll need to join me for the tasting. Check out the video for cocktail suggestions and beach-friendly pairings. Please like, comment, and subscribe if you haven't already. Share your favorite seasonal drink or if you've tried either of these offerings. Until next time, wherever your bourbon journey takes you – be it the beach, a bonfire, or your back porch… Cheers! Keep sipping, stay happy, and I'll see you soon. YouTube Channel: [Link] Full video review: [Link] Reviewer Name

It's awesome when a new, limited release spirit costs under $20 – a big toast to that. Since this bottle offers no details on what "Sunshine Blend" actually is, I learned online that it's a mix of standard Jim Beam bourbon and a trial bourbon made with brown rice, then aged four years. For under $20, this sounds enjoyable and quite distinct. While the proof is the lowest possible and the age isn't impressive, you definitely get your money's worth. The color is quite pale and light overall, but it does show a pleasing deep copper, meeting the minimum expectation for a decent bourbon. The aroma is packed with typical rye bourbon scents, like sweet wood sugars from the oak, along with some crushed cinnamon and general spiciness from the rye in the original mix. It's hard for me to pick out specific notes from the rice bourbon combination, as I haven't tasted whiskey or bourbon with rice before. However, there's a subtle honey malt and apple hint that I'd guess comes from standard malt, which isn't usually in the classic blend. The first taste is very sweet oak, clearly from deep charring rather than lighter charring or other toasted or raw oak flavors. Sugared cinnamon appears, and even though the body started weak and watery, the spice present here in the middle is remarkable for such a low proof. There's just a slight dryness at the end, returning instead to the cinnamon spice and oak. It's worth noting, though, that the spice here, while similar, is different from any I've encountered from rye grain, whether on its own or in bourbon. This is an enjoyable and, more importantly, quite tasty bourbon for an inexpensive Jim Beam direct offering. Unfortunately, I'm too inexperienced to know what to expect from using brown rice. I can confidently say this Sunshine Blend adds a much-needed body to Jim Beam's very weak base product. For $18 or any other price under $20, it's an easy choice, suitable as a slightly better cocktail mixer or even a respectable neat pour. I wish the label would specify the brown rice bourbon blend, and I always prefer a cork to a cheap-looking screw cap, but these are minor complaints. I usually fully believe in the "you get what you pay for" idea, but it's no shock that Jim Beam is the brand releasing a delightful, super-cheap new product, as they have the resources and expertise to give consumers what they want without charging craft distillery prices.

While I don't have the regular white label for comparison, I think the Sunshine Blend tastes a bit less like oak, char, and vanilla, and more like peanut and rye whiskey. There's even a hint of orange that pops up when mixed or after sipping subsequent to eating savory snacks which cancel out some of that peanut and cereal character. It's decently balanced, and I might actually prefer this for mixing over original Jim Beam, though it still has the typical alcoholic burn and doesn't sip too well.

A clear step up from the regular version with no change in price. Less of a peanut taste, and the rice adds a minty sweetness. I bought this to make Bourbon Peach Tea, and it worked very well. A good light drink for sipping or mixing in the summer.

The nose is very sweet and citrusy. The palate offers orange and other citrus tastes. It's very fruity on the finish, with a lingering warmth despite its low proof. Excellent for a fruity old fashioned.

So sweet!