Company: Jim Beam – Suntory
Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Company
Region: Clermont, Kentucky
Aging: 5 Years in New American Oak Barrels
ABV: 47% ABV
Proof: 94 Proof
Mash Bill: 100% American Single Malted Barley
Non-Chill Filtered: No
MSRP Price: $60
Appearance: Dark Honey
Tasting Clermont Steep With Its Creators
Earlier this year I went on a trip to Kentucky with my dad to celebrate my birthday and show him some whiskey distilleries. I wrote an entire blog documenting our entire Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trip and highlighted some of the best Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries tours and tastings.
Our #1 favorite part of the trip was our Jim Beam distillery tour and private tasting with Fred and Freddie Noe.
We weren’t sure exactly which product they were going to be letting us taste, but the description of the tasting just said that is a day-one product release.
So when we arrived, we were hoping we’d have the opportunity to sample something brand new and we definitely did!
The product launch was for Clermont Steep so we were one of the first people to have the chance to taste their new American Single Malt Whiskey.
In the tasting, we got to sample the following whiskeys:
- Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey
- Distiller’s Share #1
- Hardin’s Creek
- Little Book – Chapter 6
As we sipped on our whiskeys, it was fascinating to hear all the complexity and effort that Fred and Freddie Noe put into their whiskeys.
We got to learn little details about their whiskeys like that the Distiller’s Share #1 is made from an experiment with brown rice instead of rye. And small details like how they come up with some of their Booker’s “Batch” names like the “Beaten Biscuits Batch”.
After the tasting, they were also very generous with their time and made sure to spend 10-15 minutes talking with each of us as we shared a cocktail in their tasting area lobby.
I am a big fan of Booker’s bourbon so I was sure to bring my bottle of Booker’s Lumberyard Batch and my bottle of Little Book – Chapter 6 to get signed as well as my purchased bottles of Clermont Steep, Distiller’s Share #1, and Jim Beam Lineage (one of the most complex whiskeys I’ve ever tasted).
The Booker’s bottle that they signed was the first Booker’s I ever tasted and I purchased it on my first trip to Kentucky a few years ago.
It really was a pleasure getting to meet such interesting people who it is very clear – they love making whiskey!
So with all that being said, let’s get into the tasting notes.
Clermont Steep Tasting Notes
Nose: Toasted grain, malt, caramel, vanilla, light fruits, spices, fresh bread
Palate: Baked grains, malt, caramel, baking spice, apricot, crisp apple, white pepper
Finish: Medium finish with a wee bit of heat to it – leaves you with lasting malt, grain, citrus, and pepper
Is Clermont Steep an Approachable Whiskey?
Clermont Steep is a very approachable whiskey. It has a little bit of kick to it on the finish, but the flavors really carry through and make it worth it.
I’d be curious to serve this to a whiskey beginner to see whether they prefer the American Single Malt flavor profile more than a bourbon or a Scotch to start.
Is Clermont Steep Complex?
Clermont Steep has a few layers of flavors that play very well together.
You get a lot of malt and grain in the initial sip in a way that reminds me of a bowl of cereal but with a bit of honey sweetness.
Next I notice a lot of light fruit flavors similar to apricot, green apple, and orange zest.
It doesn’t overpower the grain and caramel/honey sweetness, but it’s definitely there.
Then the pour finishes out with a bit of pepper and spice on the tail end. It’s not a bold black pepper spiciness, but more of a subtle baking spice and white pepper spice that tingles your taste buds as the flavor lingers for 20-30 seconds.
What are Clermont Steep’s strongest attributes/flavors?
Clermont Steep’s strongest attribute is that it is one of the better American Single Malts I have tasted.
Another good one is the Jack Daniel’s 2023 Special Release bottle, but that costs upwards of $400 on the secondary market.
So to get an affordable option from Jim Beam is a pleasant surprise.
Is Clermont Steep a go-to whiskey?
Clermont Steep is a very easy whiskey to drink.
It offers a lot of flavor, it’s very smooth, and it is a pretty affordable bottle.
I could see this being a good go-to whiskey or everyday sipper.
Is Clermont Steep priced accurately to its quality?
Clermont Steep delivers on its price tag. I do think Clermont Steep is priced accurately and is a bottle that I think it fairly marked especially since it’s quite hard to find a good American Single Malt.
Conclusion for Clermont Steep
Clermont Steep is an excellent American Single Malt Whiskey.
Many of the American Single Malt Whiskeys that are out there just aren’t quite as refined and balanced as this pour.
The single malt flavors really shine through and this bottle doesn’t shy away from showing them off front and center.
If you see this bottle on the shelf, I recommend picking it up and seeing what your take is on American Single Malt whiskey.
Let Us Know What You Think
I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.
If you decide to give this bottle a shot, please let me know on social media via Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Thanks for reading and cheers!
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