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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Jim Beam Black
Put Horse Soldier Barrel Strength next to Jim Beam Black and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +25 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$22 – $28 ~$57 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Jim Beam Black do not publish an official mash bill.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
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
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Jim Beam Black
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Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/3 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).