🥃 Jim Beam Rye
Jim Beam rye whisky (straight rye): at least 51 % rye, 45 % ABV; green Pre-Prohibition Style label since 2015, previously 40 % ABV.
Jim Beam Rye is a rye whisky from the Jim Beam brand, not a bourbon. The producer calls it Kentucky Style Rye, with notes of black pepper, vanilla and oak. Since 2015 it has been bottled at 45 % ABV with a green label and the words Pre-Prohibition Style; the earlier yellow version was 40 % ABV.
According to EZdrinking, this is a straight rye: at least 51 % rye in the mash, new charred oak barrels, and no age on the label. The producer does not publish the exact grain recipe. Whisky Advocate wrote in 2015 that the old version was reformulated and repackaged, and that the higher strength added flavour.
Why this matters to you. Unlike Jim Beam Original, where corn dominates, the base here is rye, so the taste is drier and spicier. Look for the word Rye on the label and check the strength: older bottles are 40 % ABV. In recipes this version is not a one-to-one replacement for bourbon. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe dose of alcohol.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 45 % ABV (since 2015); previously 40 % ABV |
|---|---|
| Raw material | rye (at least 51 %), corn, barley malt; the exact recipe is not disclosed |
| Cask type | new charred oak barrels |
| Year founded | 2015, the current Pre-Prohibition Style version |
| Legal basis | 27 CFR § 5.143 (USA): rye whisky, at least 51 % rye; straight, at least 2 years |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Jim Beam Rye → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Barrel toasting, 🐝 American white oak
- Made from
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Jim Beam, 🥃 Straight rye whiskey, 🥃 Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Jim Beam Black, 🥃 Jim Beam Black, 🥃 Jim Beam Original, 🥃 Jim Beam Original
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Jim Beam Rye is a bourbon?
No. It is a rye whisky (straight rye): the mash contains at least 51 % rye, while bourbon is made mainly from corn.
What is the strength of Jim Beam Rye?
The current Pre-Prohibition Style version is 45 % ABV; the old one, with the yellow label, was 40 % ABV.
How long is Jim Beam Rye aged?
There is no age on the label; as a straight rye it must mature for at least 2 years in new charred oak barrels.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🐝 American white oak — A North American oak that gives wine strong vanilla and coconut notes.
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky — Grain in the name of American whiskey: bourbon is at least 51% corn, rye at least 51% rye, corn whiskey at least 80% corn.
- 🍷 Barrel toasting — Heating the inside of a barrel over fire; the degree of toast shapes the wine's taste.
- 🥃 Jim Beam Black — Longer aged Jim Beam version: in the USA 7 years and 45 % ABV; in other markets and older batches 6 years and 43 % ABV.
Similar
🥃 Jim Beam Devil's Cut · 🥃 Jim Beam Double Oak · 🥃 Jim Beam Black · 🥃 Jim Beam Original · 🥃 Michter's US★1 Kentucky Straight Rye · 🥃 Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Jim Beam (official): Jim Beam Rye (Kentucky Style Rye; black pepper, vanilla, oak)
- Whisky Advocate: Jim Beam Pre-Prohibition Style Rye, 45 % (Summer 2015 review; reformulated and repackaged from the yellow label)
- EZdrinking: Review — Jim Beam Pre-Prohibition Style Rye (2017; straight rye, 45 %, green label replaced yellow 40 % version in 2015)
- 27 CFR § 5.143 Standards of identity for whisky (bourbon, rye; straight — min. 2 years), text via Cornell LII
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)