THE STUFF INSIDE MATTERS MOST.We’re not about labels. Never have been.We’re about making the world’s finest bourbon. That’s why we’ve stayed true to our distilling traditions for 212 years. When you’re that dedicated to what you put into something, people can trust what comes out of it. In every rich, satisfying sip of Jim Beam White you can enjoy the craftsmanship and heritage that goes into our genuine Kentucky bourbon. For 7 generations we’ve remained loyal to that mission, and to the people who appreciate what’s on the inside.JIM BEAM BOURBON CELEBRATES HISTORIC MILESTONE
Jim Beam's Great Grandson filled the Ten Millionth Barrel of the World's Number One Bourbon
America's official native spirit - bourbon - enjoyed an historic milestone this month when our own Frederick Booker Noe III - great-grandson of the legendary Jim Beam - filled the ten millionth barrel of Jim Beam bourbon. The barrel will be officially sealed at a ceremony to honor the landmark achievement on Feb. 14 at our Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, KY where it will be seen for the last time until 2009. Immediately following its official sealing, the ten millionth barrel will make its way to a rack house where it will be stored and aged for four years.
"When Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of whiskey in 1795, he had no way of knowing that generations of Beams would follow in his footsteps and the day would come when his great-great-great-great grandson would fill the ten millionth barrel of Jim Beam bourbon, "said Tom Flocco, president and chief executive officer, Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, inc. "It's a proud moment for all of us at Jim Beam Brands."
"This is a landmark event for the company and, from a personal standpoint, it's also one for my family," said Noe, bourbon ambassador, Jim Beam Brands Co. "I'm proud to continue my family's bourbon-making legacy today and to share the world's finest bourbon with whiskey fans worldwide."
At 212 years, Jim Beam Brands Co. has spanned seven generations and 30 family members of master distillers, all inspired by the Beam distilling tradition.
Fun facts surrounding Jim Beam bourbon:
· In 1964 Congress declared bourbon a "distinctive product of the United States" and it was recognized as "America's native spirit."
· For a spirit to be called "bourbon," it must be made from a mash mixture of at least 51 percent corn and must be aged in new, charred oak barrels.
· Bourbon has been the preferred drink of presidents (Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson), famous writers (Mark Twain) and countless other politicians, performers and notable citizens.
· Jim Beam Bourbon was around when George Washington - a distiller himself - was alive. At the time, the Constitution was only 19 years old. Since then, the Constitution has been amended 27 times, but the formula for making Jim Beam bourbon remains the same.
· After prohibition, at the age of 70, Jim Beam rebuilt the family distillery by hand in 120 days.
· Jim Beam has produced over ten million barrels of bourbon since Prohibition.
· Jim Beam is the only American whiskey that has been distilled and sold by the same family for 7 generations (since 1795).
· As whiskey ages, a portion evaporates over time. It is this portion that the late Master Distiller, Booker Noe, sixth-generation Beam family distiller, referred to as the "Angels' Share"- the portion the angels' would enjoy for themselves.
· Each barrel of Jim Beam Bourbon is aged a minimum of four years and rolled out by hand. Fred Noe, Jim Beam's great grandson, oversees every barrel of bourbon, continuing our family tradition that has survived generations.
