Jim Beam Is Launching a Private Barrel Program for Whole Whiskey Casks
You’ve probably seen single-barrel picks of whiskeys that were distilled at the James B. Beam Distilling Co., the home of Jim Beam Bourbon, at stores, bars, or restaurants before. But up until now, the ability to select a specific barrel of whiskey to bottle has not been available to consumers, only businesses. That changes today with the announcement of the Beam Private Barrel Club, and we have the details about how you can get in on the action.
The James B. Beam Distilling Co. is not just home to Jim Beam White Label, of course. Other beloved whiskey brands are produced there as well, like Old Overholt, Booker’s, Baker’s, Basil Hayden, and Knob Creek. The latter brand is the first to be featured in the Beam Private Barrel Club, meaning whiskey fans will now have the chance to pick their own barrels of Knob Creek bourbon or rye to bottle. “The Beam Private Barrel Club is something we’ve been working on for years–even decades now,” said Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller and creator of Little Book, in a statement. “As we celebrate the 230th year of Jacob Beam selling his first barrel, we want to commemorate this milestone by further welcoming whiskey lovers into our family offering members the ability to own a barrel, exclusively their own.”
Here’s how it works. If you’re interested in becoming a member, you can register at this link. Once you are accepted, you will be contacted by a legacy ambassador to set up a time to visit Beam’s Clermont campus to pick a barrel. On the day of your visit, you’ll get a tour of the main distillery as well as the newer Fred B. Noe Distillery, named after Freddie’s dad and seventh generation master distiller. Then you head over to a rackhouse to taste through some single barrels of bourbon or rye, your choice. Once you make your selection, your barrel is pulled to be dumped and bottled at a later date with a customizable label (this will take 90 to 120 days, and you must pick up your bottles from the distillery). Finally, you end your day with lunch at the distillery’s Kitchen Table restaurant.
The price for this experience will vary depending on how many bottles come from the barrel you picked, which is typically between 100 and 175 depending on how thirsty the angels were when taking their share. According to the distillery, the bourbon will be bottled at 120 proof and the rye at 115 proof. The price per bottle starts at $60, but it can go up from there depending on the whiskey you selected. You have to put down a $1,000 deposit when you book your experience, but that will go towards the cost of your barrel.
For now, the Beam Private Barrel Club will be limited to Knob Creek bourbon and rye, but the distillery is evaluating other brands for the future. Who knows, one day you might be able to pick your own barrel of the much maligned Old Crow, or perhaps we’ll finally be able to try Basil Hayden at something higher than its usual 80 proof—hey, a guy can dream.
