Jim Beam 18 Year Old Distillers' Masterpiece Cognac Finish

The Beam family (anglicised from the German surname Böhm in the 18th century) are the greatest dynasty in all of American distilling, with members involved in nearly every Kentucky distillery during the 20th century. Perhaps none more important however than James "Jim" Beauregard Beam, who rebuilt his family business following the repeal of Prohibition, re-opening the famous Clermont distillery in 1935. The company is now the best-selling bourbon brand in the world (due to Jack Daniel's refusing to be categorised as such). They operate two Kentucky distilleries, the eponymous Jim Beam in Clermont and the Booker Noe distillery in nearby Boston, and since their purchase of National Distillers in 1987 also have a wealth of historic brands under their banner. Since 2014 the company has been a subsidiary of Suntory in Japan, which has widened its portfolio into the Scotch and Japanese whisky industries as well.

Distillers' Masterpiece was first bottled in 1999 by Booker Noe, this specially selected 18 year old that had been finished in cognac casks. A follow-up release was a port-finished 20 year old with the third and fourth releases coming over a decade later, both finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry.