Vanilla | Oak | Orange marmalade | Cinnamon stick | Yellow cake 

Rye spice | Cinnamon powder | Oak | Vanilla | Faint caramel | Thin mouthfeel

Rye spice | Toasted oak | Vanilla powder | Faint cinnamon bark | Gentle lingering spice

Jim Beam Winter Reserve is a limited release bourbon that first came to market in October 2024. According to Fred Noe, Jim Beam's seventh generation master distiller, the company had a specific flavor profile that they were targeting with Winter Reserve. Noe states "with Winter Reserve, we wanted to create a special bourbon that embodies the warmth of the holidays and the bold flavors that pair well with cold weather.”

Noe tried to create more of a wintertime bourbon with Jim Beam Winter Reserve, and he does a surprisingly good job of producing a whiskey that encapsulates the season. It starts with a pleasing aroma of traditional vanilla, oak and cinnamon scents, while adding in scents of orange marmalade and yellow cake for additional sweetness. The midpoint reveals more traditional flavor notes and also the limitation of the bourbon’s proof as they’re served in a noticeably thin fashion. This carries through to the palate where light rye spice, toasted oak, and vanilla powder rest on faint cinnamon bark. While the overall sip may come across as thin, the bourbon’s age and time being finished in the toasted barrels helps to provide a pleasing intrigue to the sip. Add in the fact that this is only $25, it allows Jim Beam Winter Reserve bourbon to be an average yet versatile bottle that is easy to recommend.