The History of Jim Beam, the First Family of Bourbon

Ask anyone, anywhere to name a bourbon brand and chances are they’ll answer, “Jim Beam.” One of the best-selling bourbons of all time, it’s a spirit enjoyed worldwide, instantly recognizable by its signature "peanut" flavor note. Behind the label lies a a multi-generational saga of one family's dedication to distilling. From humble beginnings to a global empire, the story of the Beam family is intertwined with the story of American whiskey. This is the story of James B. Beam, and the generations who came before and after him.

The Boehm Beginnings: From Germany to Kentucky

When the Boehm family left Germany for America in the mid-18th century, no one could have predicted they would launch a bourbon dynasty spanning four centuries. Like other German immigrants, they possessed advanced farming skills, which they put to good use in the vast open spaces of the American heartland. Company founder Johannes "Jacob" Boehm was born in Pennsylvania in 1760, before the family relocated to the Kentucky frontier.

Johannes "Jacob" Boehm

Jacob Beam had a deep understanding of the process of converting grain into a fermentable mash and then distilling it into a potable spirit. Bumper crops of corn, easily cultivated in the fertile Kentucky soil, made corn whiskey the region's preferred liquor. In 1795, Jacob began selling his Old Jake Beam Sour Mash whiskey straight from the barrel. Its immediate popularity throughout the region allowed him to expand his landholdings and distribute his whiskey beyond state lines, laying the foundation for a burgeoning enterprise.

David Beam, Jacob's son, inherited his father's aptitude for both distilling and business. In 1820, at the age of 18, David assumed the role of distillery manager and spearheaded the company's move towards industrialization. Recognizing the potential for increased efficiency and production, he expanded the distillery and became one of the first to implement the revolutionary column still technology, transitioning from traditional pot stills.

James B. Beam: Forging a Bourbon Icon Through Adversity

The influence and contributions of James Beauregard “Jim” Beam were such that it is his name by which the company and distillery is now known. Born in 1864, the great grandson of Jacob Beam, he took over the family business in 1894, when the brand was known as Old Tub. Like his grandfather, he wasn’t content with the status quo and implemented modern techniques and business practices to make Old Tub one of the first national bourbon brands.

James Beauregard “Jim” Beam on right.

His most significant contribution, however, came during Prohibition (1920-1933). While many distilleries shuttered, James B. Beam somewhow kept the business alive, despite being unable to distill whiskey and recognized the irreplaceable value of the family's yeast strain. He relocated operations to Clermont, Kentucky, where this crucial ingredient was stored in a safe location, and nurtured through the dry years. This wasn't just a matter of preservation; it was an act of foresight that ensured the continuity of Jim Beam's unique flavor profile.

When Prohibition ended in 1933, Beam was 69. Rather than retire, he rebuilt and modernized the Clermont facility, incorporating new technologies to improve quality and productivity. The James B. Beam Distilling Company was officially formed and in 1943 the brand changed its name from Old Tub to Jim Beam. James B. Beam passed away in 1946 but it is his name on which the legacy of Jim Beam truly rests.

The Beam Family Legacy: Generations of Distillers and Innovators

T. Jeremiah Beam, James B. Beam's son, took over the distillery in 1946 and is credited with helping build the brand’s profile overseas. James B. Beam's grandsons, Frederick "Booker" Noe II (1929-2004) and Edward "Baker" Beam, further cemented the family's legacy. In the 1980s, Booker, a sixth-generation master distiller, created the Small Batch Bourbon Collection. These premium boubons include Booker's, Knob Creek, Baker's, and Basil Hayden's. Baker, known for his adherence to traditional methods, also played a significant role in maintaining the family's distilling traditions. Fred Noe, Booker Noe's son, is the current Master Distiller, representing the seventh generation of the Beam family to lead the distillery, continuing a lineage of expertise and dedication.

Frederick “Booker” Noe II

Jim Beam Today: A Global Bourbon Powerhouse

Today, the James B. Beam Distilling Company produces a wide range of products, from its flagship Jim Beam bourbon to flavored whiskeys and innovative new releases, such as Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey. Jim Beam remains one of the best-selling bourbons in the world while the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, offering tours, tastings, and a glimpse into the history of American whiskey. The brand's latest venture, the Beam Private Barrel Club, allows consumers to select and buy their own barrel picks. In 2014, Suntory Holdings acquired Beam Inc. for approximately $16 billion, forming Beam Suntory, a global spirits company. Despite the acquisition, the Beam family's legacy and distilling traditions continue to be an integral part of the company's identity, ensuring that the Beam name remains synonymous with quality bourbon.

Photographs courtesy of Jim Beam.