Jim Beam Signature Craft Red Wheat Review

Let me start by saying I’m not a big fan of Jim Beam bourbon. There’s always been something on the back end of the flavor and finish of this brand that has bothered me. But, a week ago I was at my favorite liquor store in Queens (36th Ave Wine & Spirits), and saw that a bottle of Jim Beam Signature Soft Red Wheat was on sale for far below it’s typical price.  So I thought, what the heck. I’ll give it a try. Below is the whiskey review.

Distiller: Jim Beam

ABV: 45%

Age: 11 Years

Mashbill: 76% corn, 13% red winter wheat, 10% malt

The bottle itself is very beautiful, and well branded. Gives it a look of quality that most bottles of American whiskey simply don’t have. The color of the whiskey is a deep amber.

Vanilla, some spice, oak, and some fruity apricot notes.

On first sip, there’s a lot going on in this whiskey. Although in other whiskies that might amount to high ratings for complexity, in this whiskey I find it just… confusing. Yes, there’s oak, some spice too. But I find myself thinking that this whiskey would be better off with some rye in it. I just don’t see what the wheat component is adding besides making the whiskey feel and taste just a bit drier than a typical bourbon in a rather unpleasant way.

The finish is long and spicey, probably my favorite part of this whiskey. But even here there is on the back end of the finish that Beam bourbon aftertaste that I’m not attracted to.

I mentioned previously that I got this whiskey at a steep discount from its normal $45 – $50 price. I would never pay that much for a 375 ml bottle of this whiskey. Even at the discounted price of under $25, I don’t think I’ll be returning and this bottle will have to sit on the shelf and wait for a guest to request a Beam whiskey