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Bulleit Bourbon vs Jim Beam Black
Comparing Bulleit Bourbon and Jim Beam Black is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (90 vs. 86).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 | ~$22 – $28 |
- Jim Beam Black does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/4 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).