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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Jim Beam Black
Comparing Eagle Rare 12 Year and Jim Beam Black reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +5 yr | 7 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +9 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$22 – $28 ~$40 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year and Jim Beam Black do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/6 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
- 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 Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).