Jim Beam is one of the most popular bourbon whiskey brands in the world. Bourbon by definition must contain a grain mixture with at least 51% corn. The other grains used in bourbon production often include rye, wheat, and malted barley. This leads many bourbon drinkers to wonder – is Jim Beam made with wheat?
The Short Answer
Yes, Jim Beam bourbon contains wheat as part of its grain bill. While the exact percentages are proprietary, Jim Beam has confirmed that their standard bourbon contains corn, rye, barley malt, and wheat. This wheat content contributes to the sweet, smooth taste that Jim Beam is known for.
Bourbon Grain Requirements
As a straight bourbon whiskey, Jim Beam must adhere to certain grain requirements as outlined by U.S. law. These include:
- The grain mixture must be at least 51% corn
- It must be distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% ABV)
- It must be aged in new, charred oak barrels
- It cannot be introduced to color or flavor additives
- It must be bottled at 80 proof or more (40% ABV)
Within those constraints, distillers have latitude to experiment with different grain bills to create their desired flavor profile. Most bourbon contains some combination of corn, malted barley, rye, and wheat.
Jim Beam’s Grain Bill
While Jim Beam does not publish its exact recipe, it has confirmed that its standard bourbon contains the following grains:
- Corn – the primary grain in all bourbon. Provides sweetness.
- Malted barley – converts starches into fermentable sugars.
- Rye – adds spice, fruitiness and complexity.
- Wheat – softens flavor profile and enhances sweetness.
The wheat content helps give Jim Beam bourbon its characteristic smoothness and mellow flavor. Wheat tends to produce a sweeter, more rounded bourbon compared to the spiciness of rye-forward recipes.
How Much Wheat is in Jim Beam?
While Jim Beam does not disclose exact ratios, experts estimate their bourbon contains around 10-15% wheat. This is enough to influence the flavor noticeably. Too much can make the bourbon one-dimensional and overly mild.
History of Jim Beam Bourbon
The Jim Beam distillery was founded in 1795 in Kentucky. It has been operated by the Beam family for over 200 years, making it one of the oldest continually-operated bourbon distilleries.
It’s believed that founder Jacob Beam learned whiskey-making while working at a distillery located near the Wheatlands plantation in Kentucky. This could explain Jim Beam’s continued use of wheat in its mash bill when others moved primarily to corn and rye.
Jim Beam has expanded from those early roots into one of the top-selling bourbon brands worldwide. Interestingly, while many distilleries source whiskey from multiple sites for their blends, Jim Beam only uses whiskey distilled at its own Clermont, Kentucky plant.
Jim Beam White Label Bourbon
The standard Jim Beam White Label bourbon is aged for 4 years and contains Beam’s signature blend of corn, rye, barley, and wheat. It delivers classic bourbon flavors including caramel, vanilla, and charred oak. The wheat lends a smooth, rounded mouthfeel.
White Label represents the core Jim Beam flavor profile. As their base bourbon, it also serves as the foundation for their more mature and specialty bourbon expressions.
Other Jim Beam Bourbons
In addition to the 4-year White Label, Jim Beam produces several other bourbon offerings showcasing the wheat-influenced Beam recipe:
- Black Label – Aged 8 years. Deeper, more balanced flavors.
- Single Barrel – Aged 9 years. Complex oak and caramel notes.
- Rye – Higher 35% rye content. Spicier and more robust.
- Double Oak – Aged in a second new charred barrel. Richer wood tones.
These all contain the same mash bill as White Label, highlighting how aging and finishing can modify the flavor over time. The wheat presence remains a constant thread throughout the portfolio.
How Wheat Impacts Bourbon Flavor
So why does wheat matter in bourbon? And what specifically does it bring in terms of flavor and mouthfeel?
Compared to spicy rye, wheat has a milder flavor contribution. It mellows out the overall taste profile and contributes characteristic sweet notes. Just as important is the influence on texture and body.
Let’s explore how wheat impacts bourbon on both fronts:
Flavor
Wheat enhances the sweetness in bourbon through flavors like:
- Vanilla
- Honey
- Creamy butterscotch
- Toffee
These complement fruity and floral notes from the corn as well as caramel, chocolate and char from the barrel aging. The wheat provides a smooth transition between the sweeter and savory aspects.
Mouthfeel
In addition to flavor, wheat significantly impacts the texture and body of bourbon. Specifically, wheat helps contribute:
- A rich, full bodied mouthfeel
- An oily, glycerol texture
- Reduced spicy burn compared to rye
This makes for an overall rounder, more mellow drinking experience. For many bourbon fans, a softer and more approachable profile is desirable compared to drier high-rye options.
How Jim Beam Gets its Wheat Flavor
To get that distinctive wheat influence, Jim Beam starts by milling a portion of soft winter wheat along with corn, rye and malted barley. The wheat is added to the fermenter and converted to alcohol along with the other grains.
During distillation, Jim Beam produces a relatively low proof distillate compared to other bourbon brands. This preserves more of the delicate wheat aromas and flavors before barrel aging.
The wheat presence comes through most distinctly right after distillation. But it remains as a key component intersecting with vanilla, caramel and other notes from the oak barrels over years of aging.
Sourcing Wheat for Jim Beam Bourbon
Jim Beam sources all its grains from North American growers. The wheat used is a soft winter variety. Wheat must pass Jim Beam’s high quality standards related to:
- Protein content
- Moisture levels
- Purity
Their tasting panels verify that wheat samples exhibit the desired flavor profile before approving them for purchase. This careful selection and control of raw ingredients contributes to consistent wheat influence in Beam’s bourbon.
How Other Bourbons Use Wheat
While wheat is a key component of Jim Beam bourbon, not all distillers include it in their mash bills. Here’s an overview of how some other major bourbon brands approach wheat in their recipes:
| Brand | Known Grains | Wheat? |
|---|---|---|
| Maker’s Mark | Corn, wheat, malted barley | Yes |
| Old Forester | Corn, rye, malted barley | No |
| Wild Turkey | Corn, rye, malted barley | No |
| Woodford Reserve | Corn, rye, malted barley | No |
| Bulleit | Corn, rye, malted barley | No |
| Four Roses | Corn, rye, malted barley, wheat | Yes |
As shown above, wheat usage varies across brands depending on the desired flavor profile. Maker’s Mark is another example of a wheated bourbon like Jim Beam. Four Roses splits its recipes between wheat and non-wheat mash bills.
How Wheat Differs from Rye
Rye and wheat are the two cereal grains used most often in bourbon besides corn. So how do they compare in terms of impact on flavor?
Rye grain contains high levels of starch. As it ferments, enzymes break that starch down into sugars. This process creates spicy, fruity flavors compared to the more mellow wheat contribution.
Let’s contrast some of the key characteristics:
| Wheat | Rye |
|---|---|
| Sweet | Spicy |
| Round | Bold |
| Vanilla | Pepper |
| Floral | Earthy |
| Creamy | Dry |
These are broad generalizations with overlap between grain types. But they illustrate why distillers choose one or the other to achieve a certain profile. A high rye bourbon will taste much different than a wheated recipe like Jim Beam.
Health Impacts of Wheat in Bourbon
For those sensitive to gluten, wheat presents a potential concern with wheated bourbons like Jim Beam. However, the distillation process removes nearly all traces of gluten protein from the final spirit.
Independent testing demonstrates gluten levels in Jim Beam are well below the 20 parts per million threshold to be considered gluten-free. While those with celiac disease should opt for confirmed gluten-free brands, Jim Beam is considered very low risk for most gluten sensitivities.
From a nutrition standpoint, Jim Beam offers little to no nutrients or carbohydrates from the wheat content. Bourbon in general should always be consumed in moderation for health, regardless of grain bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jim Beam made with wheat?
Yes, Jim Beam’s mash bill contains wheat which helps provide its signature smooth, sweet flavor profile. It represents around 10-15% of the total grain content.
What percentage of wheat is in Jim Beam?
Jim Beam does not publish exact ratios. But experts estimate the wheat content at 10-15% of the total grain bill, with corn making up the majority.
Does Jim Beam contain gluten?
Independent lab testing shows Jim Beam contains less than 20ppm of gluten. This is considered gluten-free by FDA standards. Those with celiac disease should exercise caution.
Is Jim Beam bourbon wheat or rye?
Jim Beam is considered a “wheated” bourbon. Its mash bill contains wheat instead of the more spicy rye found in many bourbons. It also uses corn, barley malt, and a lower amount of rye.
What is wheat bourbon?
“Wheat bourbon” refers to any recipe where wheat makes up a significant portion of the grain bill along with corn. Wheat provides a sweeter, smoother profile compared to the spice of rye-heavy bourbons.
Conclusion
Jim Beam bourbon proudly continues the wheat legacy started by founder Jacob Beam over 200 years ago. Its distinctive sweet, smooth taste showcases the influence of wheat as a flavor grain. The wheat provides signature vanilla and honey notes complemented by corn, malted barley and a touch of rye.
While percentage ratios are kept secret, wheat likely makes up around 10-15% of the total mash bill. This is enough to noticeably soften the overall flavor profile compared to bolder high-rye bourbons. The wheat also contributes to Jim Beam’s rich and round mouthfeel.
Bourbon drinkers looking for that classic sweet wheated flavor have made Jim Beam the #1 selling bourbon worldwide. The wheat foundation remains a cornerstone of Jim Beam’s family philosophy: “Good bourbon comes through time, not time alone.” When enjoyed responsibly, this time-tested Kentucky original continues to deliver on the promise of smooth, mellow bourbon enjoyment.
