Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
45% ABV/90 Proof
$25
Widely Available
What the Distillery Say:
As bourbon ages, a portion of the liquid is lost from the barrel due to evaporation—that’s the “Angel’s Share.” After aging, when the bourbon is dumped out of the barrel, a certain amount of whiskey is left trapped within the wood of every barrel.
We call that the “devil’s cut.”
To create Jim Beam® Devil’s Cut™, an extraordinary new bourbon experience, we developed a proprietary process that actually pulls the rich whiskey trapped inside the barrels’ wood after they’re emptied. We hold this barrel-treated extract until it develops the proper balance of bourbon notes, then blend it with 6 year old bourbon and bottle at 90 proof. The result: a robust, premium bourbon with deep color, aroma and character.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Initially it’s very sharp, tannic, and alcoholic. Water opens it to be more citrus and botanical.
Palate: The cherry sweetness of Jim Beam is in the back lurking in the shadows but it’s well behind the smoke and oak. Water does nothing good for the palate. It brings forth a little fruitiness but kills the rest of the flavor.
Finish: It’s all smoke and wood on the finish. It’s a medium length finish and a little dry.
Comments: Fred Noe and the folks at Jim Beam don’t want to get too specific about the “proprietary process that actually pulls the rich whiskey trapped inside the barrels’ wood after they’re emptied” but it sounds a hell of a lot like sweating barrels which is something folks in Kentucky have been doing for years. Most likely the “Devil’s Cut” that’s being mixed with 6 year old Jim Beam is either some residual left after dumping or alcohol sweated out with water and heat. Either way it’s an interesting idea. It’s not nearly as harsh as 4 year old Jim Beam White Label and not as sweet as JB 7 Year. I like it. It’s not a stand out bourbon but it’s interesting. One odd side note; with this filling in the 6 year old spot Beam now has products at every year from 4 through 9. That seems a little extreme to me but they’re selling it so who am I to argue.
Rating: Average