I have been looking forward to getting my hands on Hardin’s Creek Colonel James B. Beam from s in the Beam family. Bottled at 54% ABV, 108 proof and priced at $80, it promises genuine character.
Nose
Saigon cinnamon is abundant at the beginning and lasts throughout the dram like fresh baked cinnamon rolls. Dried apricot comes through adding a tender ripeness to the nose. Mint and baby powder mingle in the middle, whereas marzipan and graham cracker give a nutty quality near the end. Smoked vanilla wafts in and out throughout the nose, but most notably at the end.
Palate
Cherry and hot cinnamon remind me of refined Hot Tamales candy with the touch of dried oak I pick up on the palate. Once the sweetness of brown sugar hits, that is also when the stone fruit comes through. It goes from candy to creamy oats. The finish is spicy with a little added orange zest.
Finish
The Hardin’s Creek Colonel James B. Beam has a lot going for its young maturation. It reminds me of Knob Creek, which you might think “duh?,” but it goes to show the talent of Master Distillers in the Beam family. The legacy you love is in the Hardin’s Creek lineup. For an inaugural bourbon, the depth and complexity found relieves some of that pressure around the launch. Keep your eye on Freddie and lookout for more from the Fred B. Noe Distillery.
The Bottom Line
Hardin’s Creek Colonel James B. Beam delivers the goods. It is well-made, genuinely enjoyable, and at $80 represents solid value for what you are getting. I would happily buy this again.
