Fans of the iconic James B. Beam Distilling Co. can now select their own private barrel at the Clermont, Kentucky distillery.
The James B. Beam Distilling Co. has announced the launch of the Beam Private Barrel Club, offering whiskey enthusiasts at he opportunity to personally select and customize their own single barrel of Knob Creek® bourbon or rye directly from the distillery. This new program allows members to immerse themselves in the whiskey-making process by visiting the historic Clermont, Kentucky campus and selecting a barrel from the distillery’s rackhouses, where generations of Master Distillers have hand-selected the finest barrels for over two centuries. Knob Creek will be the inaugural brand featured in this exclusive offering.
The Beam Private Barrel Club is something we’ve been working on for years– even decades now. As we celebrate the 230th year of Jacob Beam selling his first barrel, we want to commemorate this milestone by further welcoming whiskey lovers into our family offering members the ability to own a barrel, exclusively their own. As the sign says, come as friends, leave as family, and the new Beam Private Barrel Club does just that.
– Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller
Members of the Beam Private Barrel Club will have the chance to experience what it’s like to be a Master Distiller for the day, exploring the individual characteristics of single barrels, shaped by their location within the rackhouse, environmental influences, and aging factors. This one-of-a-kind experience provides access to the very heart of American whiskey history, where nearly 19 million barrels of bourbon and rye have aged since the distillery’s founding. By joining the program, members can enjoy a personalized, exclusive barrel of Knob Creek, creating a deeper connection to the legendary Jim Beam® legacy.
How the Beam Private Barrel Club Works:
- Individuals, whiskey clubs, families, or friends become official members of the Beam Private Barrel Club by requesting a booking via the Beam Private Barrel Club Booking Link.
- The Beam Private Barrel Club member will be contacted by a Legacy ambassador at The James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s Clermont Campus. The Legacy Ambassador will confirm the Beam Private Barrel Club experience and be your point of contact for your barrel selection.
- On the day of the Beam Private Barrel Club Experience, a Legacy ambassador will guide guests through a behind the scenes tour of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Campus, including a stop in the Fred B. Noe Distillery where they will learn about 230 years of Beam Family production practices. This is a completely private, curated tour and not open to general consumers.
- Following a private tour, the group will be escorted to a rackhouse to test and taste a selection of single barrel bourbons or ryes, just as eight generations of Master Distillers have done.
- After the tasting, guests will select their favorite barrel which will be pulled aside and eventually bottled. Each barrel will be bottled into exclusive bottles with a personalized label that can feature up to 41 unique characters. Members will be provided bottling and collection dates by the Beam Legacy ambassador and will receive updates on the status of the custom barrel through the process.
- Once selected, guests can take part in a special lunch at The Kitchen Table, the notable on-campus restaurant, inspired by the original Beam family kitchen table.
- Following your visit, the Beam Legacy ambassador will update members on the progress of their barrel. Once the bottle is barreled, all bottles must be picked up and paid in full, from the James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Beam Private Barrel Club – Details and Added Benefits:
- Bottling will take 90 to 120 days from barrel selection and the Member must pick up their cases and purchase the entirety of the barrel from the American Outpost.
- The selection process can accommodate up to eight guests per group.
- Pricing will vary depending on bottled yield, as each barrel will be determined on a per-bottle basis. The cost per bottle starts at $59.99, and typical barrels yield 100-175 bottles.
- To reserve your barrel, a non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit will be credited towards the final cost of your barrel.
Visit beamdistilling.com for more information about The James B. Beam Distilling Co. and the Beam Private Barrel Club. While the program and Distillery tours are limited to guests age 21+, guests of any age can visit the grounds and The Kitchen Table restaurant.
Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, subscribe to our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you like cocktails, subscribe to our second podcast, Cocktails with Friends. Cocktails with Friends is hosted by our good friend and partner, Bob Cutler.
Recent Bourbon Lens Coverage
- Buffalo Trace Distillery’s New Holiday Advertisement Stars Freddie Johnson
- Company Distilling Announces New Location in Lynchburg, Tennessee
- Woodford Reserve x Compartés Partnership Adds New Chocolate Bar
- Chattanooga Vault Series 2024 Turns Back the Page to 2017
- Slow Fade is the New Whiskey Release From Hidden Barn
- TTB Sets the New Standard for American Single Malt Whiskey
