'Beam Private Barrel Club' Offers Barrel Picks Direct To Consumers

James B. Beam Distilling Co. announced the launch of the Beam Private Barrel Club this week. For the first time, individuals and groups of whiskey enthusiasts will be able to hand-select and purchase their own single barrel of bourbon or rye directly from the iconic brand. The company had previously only offered barrel selections to retailers and businesses.

The Beam Private Barrel Club January 2025 launch date coincides with the 230th anniversary of the brand, which traces its origins back to 1795. Knob Creek will serve as the inaugural brand for the program with other brands presumably to follow. Participants can choose from single barrels of Knob Creek bourbon or rye at the distillery, which is located in Clermont, Kentucky.

A One Of A Kind Barrel Selection Experience

The Beam Private Barrel Club program will offer a personalized and immersive experience. Guests will explore the historic rackhouses at the Clermont campus, where generations of Beam family distillers have meticulously curated barrels for more than two centuries. Accompanied by a Legacy Ambassador, participants will gain insights into the complex interplay of factors that contribute to the distinctive character of each whiskey.

After a tour of the facility, participants will sample and evaluate a selection of barrels before choosing one to be bottled exclusively for them. The final product will feature personalized labels. Following the selection, guests can enjoy a group meal at The Kitchen Table, a restaurant which takes its inspiration from the original Beam family kitchen.

How To Join The Beam Private Barrel Club

Members of the Beam Private Barrel Club can book their experience through the distillery’s official website. After selecting their barrel, bottling takes approximately 90 to 120 days. Each booking accommodates up to eight guests, making it an ideal group activity for friends, families, and whiskey clubs. Throughout the process, the distillery’s Legacy Ambassadors provide updates on the progress of the barrel, ensuring a seamless experience. 

Reserving a barrel requires a non-refundable $1,000 deposit which will be credited towards the final cost at the time of bottling. The final price will vary according to yield, with each barrel determined on a per-bottle basis. The cost per bottle starts at $59.99, with yields typically producing between 100 to 175 bottles.

The Beam Private Barrel Club follows in the footsteps of the popular Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Experience, which allows retailers and businesses to select their own barrel of 9-year-old Knob Creek whiskey. In March 2022, Taste Select Repeat participated in the program, which resulted in our “Raise The Roof” single barrel bourbon, its name derived from the fact that it came from the top of Warehouse K at the Clermont campus.

The Noe Family Legacy and Beam History

“The Beam Private Barrel Club is something we’ve been working on for years– even decades now,” said eighth-generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe in a press release. “As we celebrate the 230th year of Jacob Beam selling his first barrel, we want to commemorate this milestone by further welcoming whiskey lovers into our family, offering members the ability to own a barrel, exclusively their own. As the sign says, come as friends, leave as family, and the new Beam Private Barrel Club does just that.”

Freddie Noe represents the latest chapter in a family legacy that began with Jacob Beam, who first sold whiskey in 1795. Over the course of eight generations, the Beam family has played an integral role in shaping the American whiskey landscape. The Noe family carries forward this heritage, blending traditional practices with innovative approaches to meet the evolving tastes and habits of whiskey enthusiasts.

Photography by Pierre Auguste.