Orange rind | Oak | Light citrus spritz | Touch of nougat | Faint caramel | Light & zesty

Sweet vanilla | Light oak | Caramel | Dash of spice | Thin mouthfeel

Flash of mixed peppercorn spice | Oak | Light vanilla | Short

For several decades, decanters - not the whiskey inside - were what consumers clamored for. These charming vessels came in all shapes and sizes, and Beam quickly became a fan favorite, releasing more than 3,000 unique decanters from the 1940s to 1990s. These deanters came in all shapes and sizes, including cars, trains, and bowling pins. The last, in particular, has been a fan favorite, and Beam has brought it back in modern form to celebrate the James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s 230th Anniversary. The company states that “the Beam Pin decanter was a personal favorite of Jim Beam’s, who would gift bottles to friends, family, and business associates for special occasions.” This limited edition bottle utilizes whiskey with the same age and proof, pulled from the same 9-story warehouses used in the original Beam Pin Decanter release.

Beam’s Pin Bottle is all about the bottle it comes in and not the whiskey itself. Either for nostalgia purposes or the cool retro factor, this is a novelty bourbon that consumers will be seeking out for the bowling pin design. 

Notable for its light and zesty aroma, the bourbon inside is forgettable, and in this case, that may be alright. The midpoint and finish are standard affairs, showing lighter classic notes that are delivered on a thin mouthfeel and short finish, respectively. While $100 may seem steep, this limited edition bottle is honest about what it is, in both proof and age, and consumers will be picking this one up to showcase on their bar versus eagerly pouring for their friends and family.