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Jim Beam Black vs Bulleit Bourbon
Comparing Jim Beam Black and Bulleit Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (86 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 | ~$25 – $32 |
- 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
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).