2nd July, 2014 by Becky Paskin

Jim Beam is to build on its Signature Craft Bourbon line with three new releases later this year, some of which explore the effect of base grain on flavour.

While the Kentucky distillery will add a new limited edition to its Signature Craft range, it will also introduce the new Jim Beam Harvest Bourbon Collection.

The Collection, which falls under the Signature Craft line, will eventually comprise of six expressions each illustrating the flavours different grains impart to whiskey.

The first two to launch will be Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat Bourbon, and Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice Bourbon, both of which will be released in the States in September.

Both editions have been aged for 11 years and are bottled at 45% abv for consistency, but are said to have remarkably different flavours.

The Red Wheat is described as delivering a “gentle spice” with “a slight, light brown sugar sweetness”, while the Brown Rice is described as delivering nots of “toasted grain with sweet oak and rich vanilla flavours”.

The expressions will be available to the on- and off-trade for an RRP of US$49.99 for 375ml.

The remaining four expressions in the Harvest Bourbon Collection will be Rolled Oat, Triticale, High Rye and Six Row Barley, and will be released in limited quantities throughout 2015.

Jim Beam Signature Craft Bourbon

Meanwhile, the distillery is also introducing Jim Beam Quarter Cask to its Signature Craft series in September. Finished with Bourbons aged in a variety of smaller barrels and bottled at 43% abv, the whiskey is the second limited edition release in the Signature Craft range, following the launch of the Rare Spanish Brandy Finish last year.

It will be available in select retailers for around US$39.99 for 750ml.

The Signature Craft range also features a permanent 12-year-old Bourbon, which was launched last year. Jim Beam plans to release a series of small batch Bourbons under the Signature Craft umbrella each year.