Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon & Old Tub Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review

Jim Beam Bonded & Old Tub
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distilled And Bottled By
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Clermont, KY DSP-KY-230

I will discuss both the Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon & Old Tub Bottled in Bond Bourbon together, since they come from the same distillery and have the same mash bill. The best I can tell, they differ only in where they may have been aged, and in filtering.

Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon

According to the bottle: “Jim Beam Bonded is a pre-prohibition style bourbon with a 100 proof flavor and a hint of oak spiciness. Making it the perfect mixer in any classic American cocktail.” That is actually a pretty interesting description, since it implies that Jim Beam intends this bourbon to be a mixer.

Old Tub Bourbon

Old Tub was the major brand of the distillery that would become the Jim Beam (James B. Beam) Distilling Co, prior to prohibition. The Old Tub Distillery was founded by David Beam, then passed to David M. Beam, who was the father of James (Jim) B. Beam. OT had been sold only in the gift shop, but has recently been resurrected as a limited release. Interestingly this new release states on its label: “Unfiltered, for more robust flavor”, whereas the gift shop version was chill filtered.

Mash Bill

Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley

Tasting Notes

Let’s taste them:

🛌 Rested for 20 minutes in a Glencairn

Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon
👉Nose: McIntosh apple, butterscotch, subtle rye spices, pine with moderate alcohol
👉Taste: Apple, caramel, char, light to medium body
👉Finish: Char & oak with some lingering sweetness and subtle peanuts; moderate burn and fairly long finish.

Old Tub Bourbon
👉Nose: Apple, rye spices, gingerbread, moderate alcohol
👉Taste: Caramel, rye spices, gingerbread, oak with a fairly dry mouthfeel and moderate body
👉Finish: Brown sugar, oak and char continue to for moderately long finish with a moderate burn

Summary

The Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon & Old Tub Bottled in Bond Bourbon are surprisingly different. The Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon has more classic bourbon flavors, with the Old Tub Bourbon having a bit more spices. The Old Tub continues to evolve, just as it had during the first few days after I opened it, and is now a bit more complex. I could enjoy both of these, depending on my mood, but might favor the Old Tub. Have you had either of these? What did you think! Cheers!🥃

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Want to read about another excellent value Bottled in Bond bourbon? Check out our review of Early Times Bottled in Bond Bourbon!