Beam Doubles the Rye With New Baker’s Single Barrel Bourbon

On Tuesday, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. unveiled a new expression in its Baker’s Bourbon lineup that doubles the rye content of its flagship 7-year single barrel bourbon.

Aged a minimum of seven years and bottled at 107 proof, the new iteration is said to boast flavors of charred oak, brown sweets and subtle rye spice. The exact mashbill remains a mystery for the time being. The original expression featured 77% corn, 13% rye and 10% malted barley; Baker’s High-Rye doubles the rye content to 26%, though it has not been disclosed how far the corn and malted barley have been notched down.

The bottling, available now at $74.99, is intended as an homage to Baker’s trucking business.

The eponymous Baker Beam began ferrying grain to the Clermont distillery back in 1954. Over the years, his job description expanded to include everything from nightwatchman to grain handler to fermentation chief.

“There wasn’t a computer,” Baker told GoBourbon in 2020. “There wasn’t anything automatic. I ran all the jobs — there were about six jobs in the distillery — and we had to manually turn the valves. We never knew what was going to happen in a day.”

In 1992, Baker’s cousin, sixth-generation master distiller Booker Noe, launched the Baker’s Bourbon lineup in his honor. The brand’s seven-year expression is by far its most attainable, clocking in at a modest retail price of $60. We’re pretty big fans of this one. Loaded with flavors of toffee, oak, graham crackers and an aroma reminiscent of 100 Grand candy bars, the bottling holds a Raided Score® of 85.

If you’re hoping to taste its new High-Rye counterpart, find the Baker’s website here.

Baker’s Bourbon High-Rye Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Nose: Charred oak balanced with notes of vanilla, caramel, & dried fruit

• Taste: Flavors of charred oak & brown sweets with subtle rye spice character

• Finish: Full-bodied with a hint of baking spice