When you Google “affordable luxury” on images, all manner of pictures come up for your perusal. I found this one to be the most hilarious! In and amongst all the Audi’s, BMWs, diamonds, and luxury resorts (none of which are very affordable in my world) was this photo which represents “Affordable Luxury” in Cambodia! This is something I can get behind, and not with a shovel! One thing that truly is an affordable luxury is Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Beam has developed a process to “sweat” their barrels and extract every last drop possible from the wood. Hence the term “Devil’s Cut”, because that bourbon used to be part of the “Angels Share” (i.e. bourbon lost into the wood and through evaporation). I talked about it a couple months back and said I was looking forward to giving it a try, and sure enough on my last trip to the Liquor store there it was. So into the cart it went. and for $23 it truly is an affordable whiskey.
But affordable doesn’t mean good, as we all know, however in this instance it works well, because this whiskey taste as good or better than whiskeys costing two and three times as much.
It looks and smells like regular Beam. Perhaps just a shade darker than Beam white with a little more wood on the nose, but not a really remarkable nose. As for legs, yeah they are there, but nothing much to write home about. It has a medium mouthfeel, not particularly oily but not watery either, just in the middle.
The flavor is where this whiskey shines. Something about the sweating and getting that whiskey that is trapped deep in the wood gives this whiskey a great and robust flavor. It starts out kinda sweet, but has a very robust woody presence, but (here’s the good part) is has no barrel astringency! That is right it has all the great woody flavor of caramel and vanilla and leather, without any of the off putting flavors that some woody whiskeys have.
This process gives all the benefits of longer term wood aging without any of the pitfalls. The finish on this bourbon is fantastic. At 90 proof it finishes like a whiskey at 100+ proof. Big and long lasting with a good burn. Smooth and not harsh, but it will clear your sinuses and that is just what the doctor ordered with all the pollen flying around these days!
I love it when innovation pays off, and in Beam’s case it has paid off in spades with a whiskey that tastes like an upper shelf product, but is affordable enough to be an everyday drinker. Have you had it yet? what do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
I’m a huge fan. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time so when I found it Father’s Day weekend I was pleasantly surprised to find out not only was it only $27, but that it was in a liter bottle! (I’ve since seen it in 750’s but I’m going liter if I can)
I wasn’t blown away by it but I thought it was a damn good whiskey and even better for the value. I’ll drink the hell out of this (pun intended) as long as I can keep finding it.
I don’t think it is going away any time soon Mikey. I’m pretty sure it is going to be a regular part of beams portfolio. I’m excited, because it is by far the best tasting beam product at the price point. I love Knob Creek, but at $35 for a fifth it goes too fast and costs too much. This however will be a great addition to anyone’s bunker and won’t break the bank. I’d love to find the one liter size or even a 1.75 liter handle, but so far have only seen the 750 ml size.
Hmmm…I like me some affordable luxury. Sound delicious, and I still need to restock my bunker. Big question is, did the Devil’s Cut induce a better night’s slumber?
The slumber was good, the morning was rough however (but I think that has little to do with the whiskey). I think I just need to sleep for about 10 hours straight to right this ship! You going to Brewforia Bown for lunch?
Old Weller Antique – Excellent! The new house whiskey.
Angels Envy- Mediocre at best (Am I the only one other than the guy at Binnys who doesn’t care for this product?)
Devils Cut – Will Don go back in the win column or are his whiskey ratings looking like a Cubs season?
I’m thinking win for sure. It is bigger than Angels Envy for sure. I think you will like it. Glad to see that you finally tried the OWA. It is awesome and it is on sale right now for $19! Can’t beat that with a stick!
Where are you getting OWA for $19. I’ve looked in the few Meridian liquor stores and can’t even find it. Are you buying downtown?
Thanks for the review. I’ve been anxiously awaiting this product since I got the Beam email on it a few months back. I keep asking about it in my local liquor stores, but it hasn’t wound it’s way up to the New York marketplace yet.
Just waiting impatiently…
Note: Check out the price on the minis of this liquor. In Alabama, the cost is higher (about $32 a liter) but the mini 50ML bottles sell for $1.25 making 1000ml (1 liter) of minis run $25…
That is, if you don’t mind using the little bottles to make your drink!