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Published: October 14, 2014

Fans of Jim Beam Bourbon will want to keep an eye out for some new releases in the coming years as the brand continues their Signature Craft and Harvest Bourbon Collection series of whiskies. Both of these special lines within the Beam portfolio are filled with experimental, limited edition releases that are interesting to explore.

If you enjoyed their Distiller's Series from a few years ago, you will want to watch for these bottles as they are released.


Jim Beam Signature Craft:

This line of bourbons from Jim Beam are some of the best that you will find under the label and include some of the distillery's experiments with barrels and bourbon blending.

• Signature Craft 12-Year Bourbon - This is supposed to be the only permanent bottling in the line and was released in September 2013. Keep in mind that Jim Beam White is aged just four years, add another 8 onto that and you have a perfect bourbon. 43% alc/volume (86 proof), $39.99
• Signature Craft Rare Spanish Brandy - Finished in Spanish brandy barrels, this whiskey has a sweeter profile and was released in August 2013 in limited quantity. 43% alc/volume (86 proof), $39.99
• Signature Craft Quarter Cask - A bold bourbon, this is a very interesting one that includes a 5-year aged bourbon mixed with some that rested between 4 and 8 years in the smaller quarter casks, which bring in a stronger oak flavor that is balanced nicely with the older bourbon. Released in limited quantity in September 2014. 43% alc/volume (86 proof), $39.99

 

Harvest Bourbon Collection:

A new series that began in 2014, the Harvest Bourbon Collection is best described as Jim Beam's experiments with grain and, when complete, the collection will include six bourbons, which are listed below.

Of course, the distillery must abide by the regulations for bourbon which require at least 51% corn, but beyond that they are free to work with any other grains. This should be an interesting line to follow because you will get different mashbills from the same distillery and will, in theory, be able to note the differences in grains.

• Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat - Sound familiar? Maker's Mark uses red winter wheat and this is similar in profile. Jim Beam's version is aged 11 years and has a nice, soft profile with a hint of spice and a pleasant sweetness. Released in September 2014. 45% alc/volume (90 proof), $49.99/375ml bottle.
• Signature Craft Brown Rice - Again, aged 11 years, the brown rice mellows the bourbon to create a sweet, soft whiskey with wonderful hints of oak and rich vanilla and brown sugar. Released in September 2014. 45% alc/volume (90 proof), $49.99/375ml bottle.
• *Signature Craft Rolled Oat - To be released in 2015.
• *Signature Craft Triticale - To be released in 2015.
• *Signature Craft High Rye - To be released in 2015.
• *Signature Craft Six Row Barley - To be released in 2015.

*Note: I will update this article as more of these are released.

 

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.