Press Release issued by The James B. Beam Distilling Co.: “Marking over 229 years since Jacob Beam started selling whiskey in 1795, fans of the iconic James B. Beam Distilling Co. can now select their own private barrel at the Clermont, Kentucky distillery.”

Clermont, Kentucky (December 10, 2024) – The James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of the world’s number one bourbon, Jim Beam®, is excited to announce the launch of the Beam Private Barrel Club, a community of whiskey fans and enthusiasts who, for the first time, can buy and personalize their own single barrel directly from the distillery, creating an entirely new way to experience the iconic distiller.

Knob Creek® will be the featured, inaugural brand to launch the program in which members can select a barrel of its award-winning bourbon or rye to be bottled exclusively for their enjoyment. During this one-of-a-kind selection experience, consumers will have the unique opportunity to head deep into the rackhouses at the Clermont campus in Kentucky where generations of Master Distillers have famously hand-selected the very best bourbon for more than two centuries.

Members can become a “Master Distiller” for the day, exploring the unique nuances of single barrels shaped by their location within the rackhouse, environmental factors, and individual barrel characteristics that influence flavor over time. In these historic spaces, where nearly 19 million barrels of bourbon and rye have aged more than two centuries, guests now have the chance to carve out their own piece of American whiskey history.

“The Beam Private Barrel Club is something we’ve been working on for years– even decades now,” shares Freddie Noe, eighth-generation master distiller. “As we celebrate the 230th year of Jacob Beam selling his first barrel, we want to commemorate this milestone by further welcoming whiskey lovers into our family offering members the ability to own a barrel, exclusively their own. As the sign says, come as friends, leave as family, and the new Beam Private Barrel Club does just that.”

How the Beam Private Barrel Club Works:

Individuals, whiskey clubs, families, or friends become official Beam Private Barrel Club members by requesting a booking via the Beam Private Barrel Club Booking Link.
The Beam Private Barrel Club member will be contacted by a Legacy ambassador at The James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s Clermont Campus. The Legacy Ambassador will confirm the Beam Private Barrel Club experience and be your point of contact for your barrel selection.

During the Beam Private Barrel Club Experience event, a Legacy ambassador will provide invitees with a behind-the-scenes tour of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus. The tour will include a stop at the Fred B. Noe Distillery, where guests will learn about the Beam Family’s 230 years of production practices. This is a privately curated tour unavailable to the public. Following the private tour invited guests will be escorted to a rackhouse to test and taste a selection of single barrel bourbons or ryes, just as eight generations of Master Distillers have done.

After the tasting, guests will select their favorite barrel to be pulled aside and eventually bottled. Each barrel will fill exclusively personalized bottles with customized labels featuring up to 41 unique characters of the guest’s choice. The Beam Legacy ambassador will provide members with bottling and collection dates and update them on the status of the custom barrel throughout the process. Once guests complete the barrel selection, they can enjoy a special lunch at The Kitchen Table, the notable on-campus restaurant inspired by the Beam family’s original kitchen table. Following the visit, the Beam Legacy ambassador will update members on the progress of their barrel.

Details and Added Benefits:

• Bottling will take 90 to 120 days from barrel selection, and the Members must pick up their cases and purchase the entirety of the barrel from the American Outpost.
• The selection process can accommodate up to eight guests per group.
• Pricing will vary depending on bottle yield, as the cost per bottle determines each barrel’s price. Bottle prices start at $59.99; typical barrels yield 100-175 bottles.
• A non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve a barrel. This deposit will be credited towards the final cost.

Click here for more information about The James B. Beam Distilling Co. Private Barrel Club. While the program and Distillery tours are limited to guests 21 and older, guests of any age can visit the grounds and The Kitchen Table restaurant.