Jim Beam Jumps Into Direct To Consumer Shipping With New Membership Program

The evolution of the direct to consumer shipping space in the American spirits world has been a tricky field to navigate for distilleries large and small alike, particularly given the myriad of laws and regulations across the states that dictate what types of alcohol can and cannot be delivered directly to one’s doorstep. One place where it has become more clear in recent times is Kentucky, and it is from here whiskey giant Jim Beam is now getting into the game.

Beam has debuted today its new Barreled & Boxed service, a limited membership program which will see those who join it receiving quarterly shipments of “coveted whiskies, specialty liquids and new-to-market innovations straight to their door” from the distillery. The big caveat to note on this, for now anyhow, is you have to live either in Kentucky or Washington D.C. to take part at this time.

Now you may be wondering why just these two markets – it ties back primarily to what we mentioned at the start around the complication of shipping liquor across the United States. As Beam puts it in a FAQ on the Barreled & Boxed website, “currently Barreled & Boxed by the James B. Beam Distilling Co. is only open to consumers in Kentucky and Washington, D.C., living in a territory where alcoholic beverages, including distilled spirits, may be lawfully sold and received.”

So, if you are lucky enough at this time to be in one of those places, here’s what you are in for. You’ll have sent to you one box every three months, totaling four boxes a year. Each shipment, noted the brand, “will contain two bottles of our most sought after bourbons or newest releases, sent directly from our home to yours.”

Besides these shipments, you’ll get some behind the scenes info on how each unique whiskey is made, including a “a live virtual tasting event with Beam family distiller Freddie Noe,” and also “VIP access” for members and a guest to the distillery in Kentucky that includes “a  complimentary tour and invitations to member only events.”

Pricing is set per shipment, and taxes are factored in as well depending upon where you live. There is no membership commitment, and each box set will cost between $150 and $300, depending on which bourbons are being sent. As for specifically what will be offered out the door, it will first be the latest Little Book whiskey (Chapter 5) + the first Little Book (Chapter 1), pricing together at $270.

Plans call for a very limited number of memberships becoming available on August 25. Those who are interested can sign up online then.