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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Jim Beam Black
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and Jim Beam Black sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +5 yr | 7 years |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +21 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$22 – $28 ~$75 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Jim Beam Black does 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
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/6 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with 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 (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).