American Still Life: The Jim Beam Story and the Making of the World's #1 Bourbon

by F. Paul Pacult

The untold story of the world's premier bourbon and the family that made it #1 American Still Life tells the intertwined true stories of America's favorite whiskey and the family dynasty that produces it to this very day. Jim Beam is the world's top-selling bourbon whiskey, with sales of over five million cases per year. Not a day has passed in the 207 years of Jim Beam's existence when a Beam family member has not been master distiller. Dedicated to quality, and dedicated to the family legacy, the Beams have shepherded their particularly American spirit to the top of their industry. And they've done it in an industry beset by challenges, from government regulation and prohibition, to changing consumer tastes, to fierce new global competition. By creating a brand of unparalleled quality and consistency, and by tying the success of their product with the good name of the family, the Beams have established a lasting legacy as perhaps one of the greatest family business dynasties in American history. Not just a simple history of "America's native spirit" (so named by an act of Congress in 1964) or a simple family history, American Still Life is a story of business success based on quality and attention to detail, constant innovation, revolutionary branding and advertising, and adaptation to the business environment. F. Paul Pacult (Walkill, NY) is recognized the world over as his generation's most accomplished and respected authority on beverage alcohol. He has written for many magazines, including Playboy, Wine and Spirits, Connoisseur, Whisky, Drink, Men's Journal, Cheers, Country Inns, Travel and Leisure, Bon Appetit, Decanter , and Food and Wine . Among his many accomplishments, he has hosted and coproduced two syndicated talk-radio programs and served as the primary expert on whiskey, beer, and wine for the History Channel documentary America History in a Glass .

Genres: Booze

280 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2003

Reviews

[Brian Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book for anybody who loves Kentucky bourbon. Though, even after reading it, I don't understand the success of Jim Beam. It's simply bad whisky. Compared to literally any other Kentucky bourbon, Jim Beam Original is the poorer choice. It boasts the quality of Old Crow but at two and a half times more money. A fifth of Evan Williams is priced ten dollars less than Beam and is a vastly superior bourbon.

Of course, the authors of the book aren't going to be honest and say how lousy their whisky is. Instead, they wax poetic about the quality and skill involved in creating such a fine, unparalleled whisky. (The authors are descendants of Mr Beam). The real missed opportunity here is the story of how their family has managed to not only sell a skunk-bad bourbon, but to make the Jim Beam name positively recognizable and desirable in the process. Nothing short of marketing genius.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book provides a history of bourbon-making in America along with some of the variations I'd whiskey distilled in areas around what used to be Bourbon county in Kentucky (which covered a much larger section of Kentucky than present Bourbon county). It also included a rather extensive genealogy of the Beam family.

Overall, the book was mildly interesting...but seemed too "text bookish" for my tastes. There were occasional bourbon-related anecdotes, but no where near enough to satisfy someone with a decent understanding of bourbon,

[Donald Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jim Beam family has left a legacy on nearly every great bourbon. A wonderful read, especially with a bottle of Old Tub.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great biography of the Jim Beam Company!