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Jim Beam Black vs Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Put Jim Beam Black next to Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, high-wheat craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 64% corn, 24% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years +1 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$28 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- 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.
Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/6 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 6/4 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond: A sweet-mash, bonded wheated bourbon from a distillery founded by two fermentation scientists, and the technical care shows in how clean it tastes. One of the strongest craft arguments on the shelf.
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 Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, sweet-mash wheater from a modern distillery doing genuinely careful work with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, rocks (Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond).