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Jim Beam Black vs Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Jim Beam Black and Jack Daniel’s 12 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | 12 years +5 yr |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$75 less | ~$80 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/6 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 6/4 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going without hunting for it.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year).