What is Jim Beam? This is the most popular and well-known brand of whiskey on the market. But most people use it in cocktails or cooking. How about when you run out of Jim Beam, don’t worry because there are many of the best Jim Beam substitutes that can be the best choice for your cocktails and dishes. It could also be that if you want to discover a new whiskey, this is your replacement or new whiskey that you should try.
So whatever your reasoning for Jim Beam substitutes, there are plenty out there for you to sample. Here we have collected 8 replacements for Jim Beam that we consider to be the best replacements, you can try them! Each of these Jim Beam replacements has its own uniqueness that can make you attracted to them.
Before we take a look at some of the best replacements for Jim Beam, let’s dive a little deeper into Jim Beam.
What is Jim Beam?
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Jim Beam is a brand of bourbon whiskey direct from Kentucky and made by Beam Suntory, it is a subsidiary of a Japanese beverage company called “Suntory Holding”. The Jim Beam is one of the best-selling bourbon brands on the planet and also the largest-selling brand of Kentucky bourbon.
Jim Beam has a long history, since 1795 when Jacob Beam started his business in Washington County, Kentucky. Distilleries have been passed down through generations and to this day – after decades of continuous work – are producing high quality spirits, including 96-proof Original Small Batch Bourbon, 80-proof Black Label Bourbon, and Devil’s Cut 90 Proof Bourbon.
Not a beverage company that was founded yesterday, but has been running for generations so that now it has produced the famous Jim Beam.
8 Jim Beam Substitutes
So, Jim Beam is a classic whiskey brand that is still very popular, but fans of this drink still sometimes want something new that tastes close to Jim Beam. In addition, sometimes you run out of Jim beam that you usually use in cocktails or cooking so you have to find a suitable substitute for your cooking.
If you’re looking for the best Jim Beam alternative, there are plenty of options for you, whether you’ve run out of Jim Beam or just want to try something new. Here we’ve rounded up the 8 best substitutes for Jim Beam that you should definitely try.
1. Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon whiskey of the Kentucky Derby, it is noted for its smooth taste. This beverage company was officially founded in 1996 and is now produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation.
While Woodford Reserve is still new to the bourbon scene, it has quickly become the go-to for most whiskey drinkers. The bottle also gives off cocoa and toffee flavours.
Woodford Reserve contains 45.2% alcohol and it is under the ownership of the Brown-Forman Corporation.
2. Evan Williams
Then on the list of substitute for Jim Beam is the Evan Williams merk, which is one of the best choices to replace Jim Beam in a variety of uses.
Evan Williams has the same taste but at a more affordable price, this is the cheap version of Jim beam that you can’t miss. It contains more alcohol than most other bourbons, while it’s both sweet and spicy in the end and this makes it the perfect for overpowering or substituting Jim Beam in your cocktails.
If you are looking for a high quality whiskey at an affordable price, then Evan Williams is the one for you. Evan Williams contains 45.3% alcohol and is owned by Heaven Hill Distilleries.
3. Heaven Hill BiB
Heaven Hill BiB is a straight-forward Bourbon whiskey that makes the ultimate replacement for classic Jim Beam. It’s also perfect for use in old fashioned cocktails. This liquor has a similar taste to Jim Beam, making it a great choice for your drink, for cooking, or for grilling.
The Heaven Hill BiB offers subtle, sweet undertones and can complement a variety of dishes and recipes using Jim Beam. Heaven Hill BiB contains more alcohol than the previous liquor, which had 50% alcohol in it and is now under the ownership of Heaven Hill Distilleries.
4. Buffalo Trail
There are several reasons why you chose Buffalo Trace as a replacement for JIm Beam. First; Buffalo Trace is bourbon, meaning it shares similarities with Jim Beam. Then, Buffalo Trace is famous for its complete taste so it is good as an ideal substitute for Jim Beam.
This liquor contains 45% alcohol and is owned by The Sazerac Company.
5. Jack Daniels
Then, as the best replacement for Jim Beam there is Jack Daniels. This drink is no longer in the bourbon category but uniquely tastes similar to Jim Beam. It’s smoky, sweet, and creamy on the palate, and much milder than Jim Beam without the brandy taste.
Liquor under the Jack Daniels brand contains 40% alcohol and is under the ownership of the Brown-Forman Corporation.
6. Angel’s Envy
Angel’s Envy is a premium bourbon whiskey that rose to fame around 12 years ago or 2011. What does Angel’s Envy taste like? Perhaps we could describe it as a blend of corn, rye, and aged for 4 years in American oak barrels. This makes this drink have a smooth and soft texture.
There are also aromas of vanilla, oak, caramel, the Angel’s Envy drink has presented a complete taste. With its distinctive taste and texture, Angel’s Envy can be said to be the best Jim Beam substitutes to add to cocktails and other dishes that use Jim Beam.
Angel’s Envy contains 43.3% alcohol and is now under the ownership of Bacardi Limited.
7. Basil Hayden
Basil Hayden is a smooth and light bourbon liqueur. What’s Basil Hayden like? We can describe it as a sweet taste, mixed with the taste of oak, and there is a hint of vanilla too. This drink is easy to drink with a creamy texture.
If you are looking for a substitute for Jim Beam, then Basil Hayden can be the best choice at the same price. But there is a slight difference, where Basil Hayden is smoother and less harsh.
Basil Hayden contains 40% alcohol and is under the ownership of Beam Suntory.
8. Knob Creek
Knob Creek is a bourbon whiskey founded in 1992 and named Knob Creek. This drink is also produced by Beam Suntory and has been making this drink for 9 years.
Knob creek has a rich taste, notes of vanilla, caramel, oak and has a touch of spiciness in the end. This drink contains 50% alcohol and Owned by: Beam Suntory.
Below are some of the best substitutes for Jim Beam and cooking recommendations.
| Substitutes | Flavor profile | Cooking usages |
| Woodford Reserve | Nutty and rich | Poultry, game meats, vegetables |
| Evan Williams | Caramel and vanilla | BBQ sauces, marinades, glazes |
| Heaven Hill BiB | Spicy and bold | Red meats, stews, chili |
| Buffalo Trace | Complex and rich | Stews, braised dishes, glazes |
| Jack Daniels | Smooth and mellow | Pork dishes, marinades, glazes |
| Angel’s Envy | Unique finish with port wine notes | Desserts, fruit-based dishes |
| Basil Hayden | Light and smooth | Seafood dishes, marinades |
| Knob Creek | Bold and strong | Red meats, stews, braised dishes |
The table source: trustedcooking.com
Another Option to Try
Apart from the brands above, there are several other options to try
Here’s a list of other options to replace Jim Beam.
- Bourbon Extract
- Brandy
- Cognac
- Rum
What is the best Jim Beam substitute for cooking?
If you are looking for an alternative to Jim Beam for cooking, there are several alternatives that you can try. Jim beam is a bourbon whiskey that comes straight from Kentucky, it can add flavor to dishes, dishes, so many people use it for certain recipes. But for a number of reasons, sometimes requiring a substitute, here are some of the best substitutes for Jim Beam in certain recipes.
– Wild Turkey: The taste profile is close to Jim Beam, the taste is slightly smooth and sweet and has a hint of vanilla and caramel. Wild Turkey will be the best friend to replace Jim Beam and give the best taste in your dish.
– Jack Daniel’s: Jack Daniel’s is technically a Tennessee whiskey and it is not a bourbon, however the taste is similar so it is also often used in place of Jim Beam but is slightly sweeter, and the finish is smoky. If you use Jim Beam for marinades or sauces then Jack Daniel’s could be the best substitute for you.
– Maker’s Mark: This is a high-end whiskey that costs a little more than other whiskeys. It has a smoother taste, and it makes a great substitute in recipes where you’re emphasizing the flavors of the bourbon.
– Apple juice or cider: If you want something alcohol free, you can use apple cider vinegar as the best substitute for Jim Beam. Both have a sweet fruity taste, and this can complement your dish.
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What Bourbon is Best for Cooking?
If you want to cook with bourbon, then in general the recommendation is a lower quality or mixing bourbon, not premium or high-end bourbon. If you ask for the detailed recipe, then it depends on personal preference and serving your dish.
Kentucky Gentleman is one of those affordable bourbons that can be used in cooking. Interesting taste, aroma of cherry, caramel. Great for use in cooking sauces, Jim Beam, beef stew, or roast turkey recipes.
Does bourbon burn off when cooked?
Yes, not not all. Some of the alcohol in bourbon burns when it’s cooked, but not all of it does. How much alcohol remains in the dish depends on how long you cook, the cooking method, but the bourbon flavor will linger in your dish.
Can you substitute whiskey for bourbon in pecan pie?
That’s right, you can do that, you can substitute whiskey for bourbon in a pecan pie recipe. Whiskey can be used as a substitute without changing the taste of pecan pie.
Is Jim Beam similar to Jack Daniels?
Both are the famous American whiskeys today. Both have similarities in taste, but the production process is different. Jim beam is a bourbon whiskey and jack Daniel is a Tennessee whiskey.
Is Jim Beam stronger than Jack Daniels?
They are both equally strong, as the alcohol content in both types of whiskey is the same at 40% by volume ABV. So, the two are in balance.
But the taste of the two there is a difference, it depends on the age and other factors.
Conclusion
Jim Beam is a well-loved classic whiskey, but there are many substitutes for Jim Beam that you can try in a variety of dishes and recipes. If you want to try Jim Beam, try it in moderation.
