This is the kind of comparison I love to do because these help inform my future purchasing decisions… These options are both Beam products, both single barrel, both the same proof, but very different price-points. Fancy Glencairn loves the new Baker’s bottle, let’s see which one wins!

Jim Beam) $35, 5+ yrs old, 108 proof. Unfiltered.
-The Nose is on the lighter side and has lots of caramel and peanut, but also some eucalyptus, and cinnamon.
-The Palate is a little thinner than I expected at 108proof. It starts with sweet caramel, vanilla, and that familiar Beam peanut, then some mint, and cinnamon.
-The Finish is medium in length, with mild black pepper, more peanut, and mild oak.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised with this one for the price. It tastes like a more mature, stronger version of Old Tub, which I love!

Baker’s) $60, 8.5yrs old, 107 proof.
-The Nose starts with vanilla and baking spices, along with anise, and some dark cherry.
-The Palate is a little more oily, with notes of charred oak, vanilla, lots of cinnamon, and a smaller amount of that Beam peanut. As I chew I pick up some dark cherry.
-The Finish is medium, with aged oak, white pepper, and some of that anise I got on the nose.
Overall I really like this bottle, but at this price point there are a lot of great options out there!

VERDICT) Based strictly on tasting, Baker’s is the winner… And now Fancy is rolling around the counter celebrating and can’t hear the rest of what I’m saying…
BUT if I take price into account I would definitely choose to buy JB SiB as a daily drinker. I was very surprised how much I like it. It’s a perfect middle ground between a value-bottle Old Tub, and a pricier Baker’s or Booker’s. You have to like that Beam peanut profile to like it though…

What do you guys think of these?