Much like the article we ran yesterday about Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam is another icon in the Kentucky bourbon world. Its story, like that of Buffalo Trace, spans over 200 years of whiskey making history. That being said, the brand which is Jim Beam itself is much more recent in creation, having been renamed in 1943 from Old Tub. James B. Beam rebuilt the distillery in 1933 in its current location shortly after Prohibition was repealed. Here’s a little more on that from an old Beam press release I stumbled across while researching this:
The property originally was the site of the Murphy Barber Distillery and sat adjacent to a rock quarry owned by the legendary bourbon distiller, Jim Beam. Beam purchased the defunct distillery in 1920, just as Prohibition was going into effect.
After Prohibition, Jim, his son Jeremiah, and his nephew Carl Beam renovated and rebuilt the plant in a mere 120 days, razing most of the old Murphy Barber buildings and constructing new ones.
On an early spring day in 1935, the Beams proudly hosted an open house for the local community; after a 17-year break, they were back in the bourbon business.
What follows is a photo and video chronicle of my behind the scenes tour at the Jim Beam distillery during my recent Kentucky visit. I encourage you in particular to watch the almost three minute long video at the end following a Knob Creek bottle as it moves along a small scale bottling line.
High and low wines at Jim Beam (video copyright The Whiskey Wash)
A Knob Creek bottling line at Jim Beam (video copyright The Whiskey Wash)
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