Jim Beam American Stillhouse, Clermont

More Than 200 Years of Whiskey

Since 1795—minus a brief interruption during that dark time known as The Prohibition—seven generations of Beams have played a role in the creation of Jim Beam. Today, the distillery crafts a whole family of whiskeys to include seven different styles. This collection ranges from the classic Jim Beam, aged four years in charred American white oak barrels, to Signature Craft, which can be aged 12 years and which boasts notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak.

All Bourbon is Whiskey

But not all whiskey is bourbon; only bourbon is bourbon. And it’s governed by a strict set of laws, made to ensure that the process and ingredients are uniform—though the final product can taste vastly different. At Jim Beam, water is drawn from nearby spring-fueled lakes, emerging from the limestone-rich earth clean, rich with calcium, and thrilled to eventually become whiskey.

From the Well to the Glass

At the Jim Beam distillery itself, visitors follow knowledgeable guides around the grounds to learn about every step of the process. Starting from the well where the water is drawn, groups meander through the many facilities, past the bubbling and aromatic mash where it cooks in giant vats to the enormous stills, the barrel house, and eventually the tasting room. There, curious drinkers 21-and-older can sip samples of the various whiskeys, often including rare or limited-run versions.

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