The Art of Terroir in Whiskey: Jim Beam’s Hardin’s Creek Series
The concept of terroir in whiskey has its defenders and detractors, but one thing is certain—the spirit inside a barrel will taste different depending on where it’s aged and what the climate there is like. And that is the raison d’être behind Jim Beam’s Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series, which just dropped its third and final release.
Whiskey barrels at Jim Beam’s distillery
Hardin’s Creek launched in 2022 with two bourbons, the young Colonel James B. Beam and the aged Jacob’s Well. Then last spring, the details for the Kentucky Series were announced, and two previous iterations were subsequently released: Clermont and Frankfort. Like those whiskeys, the new Boston bourbon is named after a production site on the greater James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus (sorry, Celtics fans, we’re talking Boston, Kentucky).
Eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe, who also created Little Book Whiskey, is the main force behind Hardin’s Creek. The whiskey in each release was all distilled at the same time from the same mash bill and aged for 17 years, with the only variable being where it was aged. And if you taste each side by side, there are indeed differences between them.
Freddie Noe, master distiller behind Hardin’s Creek
The new Boston bourbon is the final release in the series, and it’s a testament to the art of terroir in whiskey. With each release, the differences in flavor profile are a result of the unique conditions in which the whiskey was aged. Whether it’s the climate, the storage conditions, or the specific barrels used, each whiskey has its own distinct character.
Comparing the different whiskeys in the Hardin’s Creek series
The Hardin’s Creek series is a masterclass in the art of terroir in whiskey. With each release, Jim Beam is showcasing the importance of place and environment in shaping the flavor of whiskey. Whether you’re a whiskey connoisseur or just starting your journey, the Hardin’s Creek series is a must-try.
The Jim Beam distillery in Kentucky
