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Jim Beam Black vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Jim Beam Black and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | 9 years +2 yr |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$120 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/6 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
spice 4/2 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).