Jim Beam Vanilla

First and foremost the, the nose is entirely dominated by the scent of vanilla. The bourbon itself, and any complexity or hints of the cask it may carry, are nowhere to be found. Though one might think this drink a flavored bourbon, I assure you it is, in fact, a liqueur. The drink is like a syrup in consistency, with a gentle mouthfeel and only a hint of the whiskey. It tastes and feels more like a bourbon cream than an infused liqueur. The strong vanilla dominates the palate, and only the barest hint of bourbon rises in the finish. It is entirely sweet, with little to no complexity. What interesting notes there are come out of the finish and the aftertaste, where a hint of bourbon and a mere breath of the charred oak cask can be found. The bottle advertises enjoying its contents straight, chilled, in a cocktail, or with cola. I would personally only recommend the final rendition. Drinking it straight is too sweet, and the vanilla seems too dominant for a cocktail unless it is paired with a rye, a high rye bourbon, or a dark rum in whatever cocktail you are making. That said, do as you will. It makes a decent liqueur, but I would not recommend as a substitute for a bourbon in a drink.

“Atticus said to Jem one day, “I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird There. I figured it would be better for you guys to read something beautiful than to spend time extolling the non-existent virtues of this free sample of a vanilla flavored abomination of a liquid that was hanging limp from a bottle of Jim Beam I purchased today. Curl up with a good book and a great dram and avoid Jim Beam Vanilla like you’d avoid your bitching mother-in-law, an after hours phone call from your work or reality television. You’ll thank me for it later. Cheers.

Just doing a quick review here as I’m at a Friendsgiving party and this was out on the bar. Figured I’d give it a taste and see just how bad it is. Bottled at 35% ABV and is chill filtered and has colorant added making it a honey gold color. The nose is all vanilla ice cream, harsh alcoholic vanilla ice cream. A trace hit of oak but nothing to really take note of. Very sugary, sticky sweet and not in a good way. The palate starts out with with sweet vanilla ice cream, but quickly, very quickly, takes on a green olive taste. It’s really gross and strange. Sugary olive brine with vanilla. Harsh at times, but very sugary. This stuff is meant for drowning with Coke or putting in some fruity tropical drink with coconut. A light bodied mouthfeel that is syrupy and thick. The, unfortunately, is much longer than you’d like. Vanilla and olive brine. Please don’t buy this unless you are designating it for mixing. Don’t try it neat, it’s garbage.

Part of a sample 12 Days of Christmas pack. First of the 12. Quick hit review. Aromas of McCormicks vanilla extract, custard, confectionery sugar. This is artificially sweet vanilla cream soda with grenadine. Finishes of sugar glazing and white pepper with some wood tannins. A mixer for sure. Not sure where the bourbon is found. If you want a sweet, artificially flavored vodka-like 90’s spirit, then this is for you. Definitely for the masses and not to be taken seriously. Designed not to offend or push boundaries. Have fun with it if this your thing. [Tasted: 12/2/20]

Remarkably sweet, but not revoltingly so. From what I read, this spirit is made by mixing real vanilla liquor and bourbon. Drinking it neat means you're not finishing it anytime soon, but it's a good item to bring to a party to which everyone else brings wine or beer---something different that non-whiskey drinkers can appreciate as a change of pace. Next time, though, I'll take Beam's commercials' advice and mix with cola.

Funny that the aroma isn’t a whole lot different from a straight bourbon. Vanilla. Grain. Leather. Wood. Perhaps more vanilla than usual. But the flavor is when the distinction is made. It’s so vanilla forward that it becomes cloying and sweet. It’s for those with a sweet tooth. Or somebody wanting dessert.