Compare
Jim Beam Black vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Put Jim Beam Black next to Uncle Nearest 1856 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Jim Beam Black and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/5 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 6/4 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).