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Jim Beam is, of course, one of the most famous and currently the most successful bourbon brand around. The brand also has a long history that includes a large family of master distillers who have worked at many of the different distilleries. In addition to making Jim Beam, they are also the current owner of the Old Grand Dad brand.
We get asked often about the rarity and value of the novelty Jim Beam decanters from the 60s-70s. Unfortunately, they sold so many of these that not many of them have much value today. Check eBay sold listings to see what empty bottles are going for. Full, sealed decanters may be worth slightly more to a whiskey collector, but not as much as a full regular vintage glass bottle.
Photo libraries, in ascending order by bottling year
Jim Beam 8yr Bonded Decanter, 1968-1979
We don’t usually post Beam decanters since there are so many and they’re well documented elsewhere, but this one is interesting in that it’s bottled in bond. Also of note, this is a perfect example of a glut-era bourbon, labeled as an 8 year product but aged for 11 years.
Photos courtesy of Steve C.
Booker’s Bourbon, lot C-B-16-79, 120.9pf, 750ml, ~1987
A very early example of Booker’s, distilled in 1979 and released in 1987-1988. The very first edition was reportedly 120.9 proof, hand-signed and numbered by Booker, with a commemorative seal and no bottle number; the second version (pictured here) was still 120.9 proof, still hand-signed and numbered by Booker, without the commemorative seal and numbered. The third edition was 121.4 proof and machine-signed and numbered.
Booker’s 25th Anniversary Bourbon, 10yr, 130.8pf – 2014
Photos courtesy of ‘The Old Barrelhouse’ Australia.