Last Updated on November 6, 2022 by Lydia Martin
One of the most popular American whiskey brands is Jim Beam. It features the name of the state where it was produced printed on its bottle.
But what US state name is featured on the labels of Jim Beam whiskey?
What’s the history behind it, and do all Jim Beam bottles bear a state name? Let’s find out.
What’s The US State On Jim Beam’s Label?
The US state featured on Jim Beam’s label is Kentucky. The Beam family settled in Kentucky, USA, back in the day.
In 1943, Jim Beam was founded. But In 1945, it was purchased by Harry Blum, a Chicago-based spirits merchant.
In 1968, it was bought by American Brands. Then, in 2014, it was purchased by a Japanese company known for manufacturing the first-ever whiskey made in Japan.
The combined company, Beam Suntory, is still associated with Kentucky. So the state has become known for its bourbon.
Why Jim Beam Has Kentucky On Its Bottle Label
Jim Beam put Kentucky on its bottle because that’s where its history started.
After the Beam family settled in Kentucky in the 1700s, they started making whiskey – releasing the first batch in 1792.
All the processes in making Jim Beam whiskey took place in Kentucky, contributing to the great company and the whiskey history.
Putting Kentucky on the bottle is more of honoring where they started.
“Whiskey is liquid sunshine.” – George Bernard Shaw, Irish Playwright/Nobel Prize Winner
Its Bottle Label History
The origin of the brand can be traced back to Germany. When the Bohm family moved to the U.S. in the 1700s, they changed their surname’s spelling to “Beam.”
So, this became the name of the company they are associated with today.
Johannes Beam was the first in the family to make whiskey using a method that eventually became known as bourbon.
The first batch of corn whiskey was produced in about 1792 and sold under the name “Old Jake’s Sour Mash.”
In 1820, David took over the company’s operations. He moved the facility to Nelson County, which was able to capitalize on the railroad’s development and the Industrial Revolution.
The company started bottling whiskey in 1880. Before this, customers would bring jugs to the distillery.
What State Is Jim Beam Made In?
The famous Jim Beam brand is made in Kentucky’s Clermont City. It is one of the world’s most famous bourbons and has a long history of success.
The company was founded by the family of James Beam, who was responsible for the company’s recovery following the end of Prohibition.
The brand’s name was changed to Jim Beam in 1943 to honor James B. Beam.
Do All Jim Beam Bottle Labels Bear A State Name?
All Jim Beam bottles bear the state name – Kentucky.
From the Jim Beam Rye, Single Barrel, Double Oak, Devil’s Cut, Straight Bourbon, Black Extra-Aged, and their flavored bourbons, all bear “Kentucky.”
But their Highball – Classic Highball and Ginger Highball– doesn’t feature the US state name.
These two are not whiskeys [1]; they’re just a blend of bourbon and ginger ale, then bourbon and seltzer.
FAQs
How far is Jim Beam’s Distillery from Louisville, Kentucky?
Jim Beam Distillery is only 30 minutes away from Louisville, Kentucky, just off the I-65. Jim Beam’s Kentucky distillery is situated in the foothills of Clermont at Happy Hallow Road.
Are all Jim Beam products made in Kentucky?
All Jim Beam products are made in Kentucky. It’s been a family tradition since 1795 until today. Jim Beam is America’s native spirit and must only be produced in one location– Kentucky, USA.
Key Takeaways
Jim Beam is a well-known American spirit. It started in Kentucky, U.S.A, in the 1700s and still thriving and competing with all the spirit brands today.
It features the US state name “Kentucky,” paying homage to where all the great history started.
You can see the state name in all of their bottles, making you remember all its colorful past.
Reference:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/whiskey
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
