Heritage
Jim Beam Signature Craft High Rye is an 11-year-old bourbon that incorporates a significantly higher rye content than typical Beam expressions, resulting in a distinctive fermentation and aging process. This limited-edition release from the Signature Craft series stays true to Beam’s traditional sour mash fermentation and copper column distillation methods but pushes the boundaries with a spicier, more assertive grain bill. The bourbon is matured for 11 years in new, heavily charred American oak barrels stored in Kentucky rickhouses, benefiting from the region’s temperature swings to enhance wood interaction. Bottled at 45% ABV and non-chill filtered, this small-batch release offers a glimpse into how different grain ratios can transform the character of a bourbon over extended aging. Crafted with intention and precision, the High Rye edition exemplifies Beam’s blending of experimental curiosity with centuries-old bourbon heritage.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairings
Taste Notes:
This high-rye mashbill bourbon amplifies spice and brightness while retaining Beam’s signature balance. The nose delivers cinnamon, clove, orange zest, and sweet oak. On the palate, expect a lively mix of rye spice, caramel, dried cherry, and charred oak with a peppery backbone. It’s bold yet well-integrated, offering a punchy mid-palate and a dry, lingering finish with hints of black pepper, citrus peel, and toasted grain.
Food Pairings:
Starter: Spicy chorizo bites or deviled eggs with smoked paprika
Main Course: Blackened pork chops or chili-rubbed steak
Cheese: Spicy pepper jack or aged provolone
Dessert: Cinnamon rolls or dark cherry pie
Snack: Jalapeño cornbread or smoked almonds
Craftsmanship
Jim Beam is one of the most iconic names in American bourbon, with a heritage stretching back to 1795. Based in Clermont, Kentucky, the brand has remained a cornerstone of the bourbon industry for over seven generations. Produced using a time-tested sour mash recipe and aged in new charred oak barrels, Jim Beam is synonymous with consistency, craftsmanship, and legacy. The brand is widely known for its approachability and broad appeal—offering a wide array of expressions that range from classic bourbons to creative infused and flavored variations. As part of the Beam Suntory portfolio, Jim Beam maintains its commitment to traditional distilling methods while embracing innovation to meet evolving consumer tastes. Revered both in the United States and internationally, Jim Beam continues to shape the global bourbon landscape through quality, scale, and storytelling rooted in American history.
