Jim Beam whiskey: Original, Honey, Vanilla, Red Stag

Jim Beam is a Kentucky bourbon, which makes it an American whiskey made mainly from corn and aged in new charred oak. CBC Liquors in Westford carries four Jim Beam bottles: Original, Honey, Vanilla and Red Stag. The Jim Beam brand page shows what is in stock right now, and the sections below explain how the four differ and how to use each.

Is Jim Beam whiskey or bourbon?

It is both. Bourbon is a style of whiskey, so a bottle of Jim Beam is whiskey and bourbon at the same time.

To be called bourbon, a spirit has to be made in the United States from a grain mix that is at least 51 percent corn, aged in new charred oak containers, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. Nothing but water is added to a straight bourbon, so the colour and flavour come from the grain and the barrel.

Most bourbon comes from Kentucky, and Jim Beam is a Kentucky name. The corn gives a sweeter, rounder character than whiskeys built on rye, and the charred oak brings the vanilla, caramel and light spice that people usually associate with the style.

In the wider whiskey family, bourbon is the American, corn-forward branch. Scotch, Irish whiskey and rye each taste noticeably different, which is useful to know if you are choosing a bottle for someone else.

Which Jim Beam bottles does CBC Liquors carry?

CBC Liquors carries four Jim Beam bottles: Jim Beam Original, Jim Beam Honey, Jim Beam Vanilla and Jim Beam Red Stag.

Original is the plain bourbon. Honey, Vanilla and Red Stag are flavoured expressions built on bourbon, so they taste sweeter and sit in a different place on the bar.

Stock changes through the day, so the brand page is the quickest way to see what is on the shelf today. It lists the Jim Beam products the store has in stock, with the store's own best sellers for the brand shown first.

If you are driving to 142 Littleton Rd for a specific bottle, check that page first and you will know before you leave the house.

What does Jim Beam Original taste like?

Jim Beam Original is the classic white-label bourbon, and it is aged for four years. That is a younger age than many premium bourbons, and it shapes the flavour: lighter in colour, brighter and cleaner, with less of the deep oak you find in longer-aged bottles.

Expect notes of vanilla, caramel and toasted oak, with a touch of grain sweetness and a little pepper on the finish. It is bottled at 80 proof, which keeps it approachable straight and gives it enough character to hold its own in a mixed drink.

That balance is why it shows up so often in highballs and simple cocktails. It is not trying to be a slow sipper, and it does not need to be. If you want a bourbon to build a drink around, Original is a sensible starting point.

What are Jim Beam Honey, Vanilla and Red Stag?

Each of these three starts with bourbon and adds a flavour, so they read as sweeter and softer than Original.

Jim Beam Honey is bourbon blended with honey liqueur. It is smooth and rounded, with the honey sitting over the vanilla and oak of the base. It is easy over ice, and it also works with lemon and with hot tea for a cold evening.

Jim Beam Vanilla adds vanilla flavour to the bourbon, which leans into what the barrel already contributes. It pairs naturally with cola and cream soda, and it is a good fit in coffee drinks.

Jim Beam Red Stag is bourbon infused with black cherry. The cherry gives it a tart-sweet edge that goes well with ginger ale or cola. Flavoured bourbons like these are typically bottled at a lower proof than the Original, so check the label if the strength matters to you.

How should you drink Jim Beam?

Start with how you like whiskey. Neat shows you the flavour as it is. A few drops of water or a single large ice cube opens it up and softens the alcohol.

For a longer drink, a bourbon highball is simple: bourbon, ginger ale or soda water, lots of ice and a wedge of lemon. Cola is the other classic. Original works well in both, and Red Stag and Vanilla take cola especially well.

If you want a proper cocktail, an old fashioned needs only bourbon, a little sugar, bitters and an orange peel. A whiskey sour adds lemon juice and a touch of sweetener. Both are forgiving drinks, and Original suits them well.

For the mixer side, the mixers category is where to look. Measure your pours, keep water alongside, and plan your ride home before the first glass.

Can you get Jim Beam by pickup, delivery or shipping in Westford?

Yes. Besides walking in, CBC Liquors offers pickup, delivery and shipping.

The store is open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours. Delivery hours are slightly shorter: Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM.

Beyond Westford, CBC Liquors also serves Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough and Dunstable. The delivery areas page lists the towns, and individual pages such as Chelmsford and Acton cover the details for each.

You must be 21 or older with valid ID to receive alcohol, however you order it.

What if you want something besides Jim Beam?

Jim Beam is one corner of a larger shelf. If you like the corn sweetness of bourbon and want to try other bottles, the bourbon category is the next place to look.

If the spicier side of American whiskey appeals, rye uses a rye-heavy grain mix and tastes drier and more peppery. For something smoky and very different, look at Scotch, and for a lighter, smoother style, Irish whiskey is a good place to start.

If you are stocking up for a gathering, the party planner page is set up to help you think through what to bring. CBC Liquors has a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 339 Google reviews, and the staff can talk you through a choice if you stop in.