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Jim Beam Black vs Larceny Barrel Proof
Jim Beam Black and Larceny Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Larceny Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +38 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| 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.
Larceny Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Larceny Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/9 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Larceny Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Larceny Barrel Proof: The wheated recipe at full barrel strength, and a genuinely dense pour. Thick caramel and baked fruit carry the heat well, and it takes water more gracefully than most bottles at this proof.
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 Larceny Barrel Proof if you want wheated sweetness with barrel-proof concentration, without the Weller price or hunt with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat (Larceny Barrel Proof).