Jim Beam Signature Crafts going all out

I'll be honest and say I have not paid much attention to the recent release of Jim Beam Signature Craft whiskies that arrived on shelves mid last year.  Maybe I should pay attention as last month Jim Beam submitted new labels for upcoming Signature releases. 

The first two releases last year included a 12 year and one with a touch of brandy added (not brandy barrel aged).  I've not tried them so can't speak to the profile of either.

The new labels cover quite a few variant grains in the bourbon in addition to a quarter cask aged selection.  As seen on the labels, all are 11 years old and 90 proof except the quarter cask which is 86 proof and NAS.  I'll admit, I'm intrigued and may look to pick up a couple of these to give them a spin.  One that caught my attention was the rolled oat selection.  A number of years back I was visiting a friend in Laurel, MD who brought out a pre-prohibition Old Rip Van Winkle that included oats in the recipe.

Time in a bottle

A couple months ago I was contacted by freelance writer and New York Times staff editor, Clay Risen.  He was kind enough to reach out and ask some questions related to Dusty Hunting for an article he was writing for Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  The article is featured in the June issue and you can read it here on their website.