In 2003, a group of daring distillers at Jim Beam thought "outside the barrel" and experimented with a variety of obscure grains and non-traditional recipes and ultimately settled on a range of harvest grains such as Brown Rice and Soft Red Wheat (among others) to complement the majority grain of corn. These innovative distillers, many of whom have since currently retired, distilled a handful of liquids and laid them down in rackhouses to rest, untouched, for years…until now. More than a decade later, Fred Noe discovered these lost barrels and gave them a taste; and while a few batches from the lot did not make the cut, he was delighted to find six delicious bourbons, ready to be bottled and released. Jim Beam Harvest Bourbon Collection is a series of six hand-crafted bourbons that celebrate the distinctive tastes imparted by the distillation of different grains. More than 11 years of aging have brought out the nuances of these unique ingredients to create some of the rarest, most unique whiskey expressions to ever leave a Jim Beam rackhouse.  The first two grain representations – Soft Red Wheat and Brown Rice – are being released in extremely small quantities beginning today. The four remaining expressions – Whole Rolled Oat, Triticale, High Rye and Six Row Barley – will be released with limited quantity throughout 2015.

Bottled at 90 proof, Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice is a full-bodied bourbon that has lasting flavor from its 11 years of aging. This bourbon contains a taste of toasted grain with sweet oak and rich vanilla flavors and is best enjoyed straight (neat or on-the-rocks). Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice has an aroma with notes of sweet potato and brown sugar with a slight oaky spice and a deep, rich amber color