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Jim Beam Pin Bottle 8 Year Old Review

Is Jim Beam's vintage Pin Bottle worth the hype, or is it just nostalgia in a fancy package? This 8-year bourbon resurrects a classic design.

OVERALL RATING

7
$380
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

The new release recreates one of the most sought-after designs from Jim Beam’s extensive decanter collection. Between the 1940s and 1990s, the distillery produced more than 3,000 unique decorative bottles that became popular with collectors worldwide. The bowling pin-shaped decanter held special significance for Jim Beam himself, who “would gift bottles to friends, family, and business associates for special occasions,” according to the company.

The 8-year-old bourbon is bottled at 86.8 proof (43.4% ABV), matching the specifications of the original Pin Bottle release. The whiskey comes from the same 9-story warehouses used for the historic bottling, maintaining continuity with the original product. The release date of August 23rd coincided with Jim Beam Day, an annual celebration of the brand’s heritage. Jim Beam, founded in 1795, remains one of the world’s best-selling bourbon brands and is currently owned by Suntory Global Spirits.
Appearance:
Normally this is about the color of the whiskey, but man o’ man is this a cool decanter bottle. What a wonderful throwback design and truly a cool bottle!

Color – copper
Nose:
Very traditional Jim Beam profile: peanut butter, roasted peanuts, older softer oak, citrus of lemon peel, touches of light honey and caramel. Overall it’s the classic Jim Beam but slightly elevated to expose softer sweeter notes.
Palate:
Opens with nice caramel and lemon zest before opening to peanut shell and some unexpected heat. There is some standard oak and char. Overall not a lot going on in the profile but enjoyable.
Finish:
Thin watery mouthfeel and a medium length finish. The finish is warming and clean overall with just a hint of the nuttyness overlayed by some vanilla and oak tannins.
Comments:
This blend certainly feels like it’s trying to push the clock back in time to vintage products. While the bottle is incredible and certainly a fun piece for any consumer of Jim Beam, it is very iconic Jim Beam. What I would say is it is certainly carefully crafted and a fun pour, although be forewarned, it is difficult to pour out of the Pin Bottle. Bring paper towels.

What I love is the homage; it is taking us back to a more “fun” time in the whiskey world. Yes, the creativity had to do with the fact whiskey wasn’t selling and a glut existed in the market, resulting in creative marketing like Pin bottles, but it’s still pretty to look at. While it is only available at the distillery, I am not certain this won’t be released nationally later.

This whiskey will be a fun one to start a night out. It’s unique and fun, it won’t blow the socks off anyone, but it will be a bottle you’ll come back to.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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