Clermont Steep Single Malt 750ML is a 5-year-old American single malt whiskey from James B. Beam Distilling Co., bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof). Developed by seventh-generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe after trialing 67 different barley varieties, this expression scored an 8.4 from American Whiskey Magazine and a B+ from Drinkhacker—strong marks for a category newcomer from one of Kentucky's most storied distilleries.Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 Proof) | Origin: Clermont, Kentucky, USA | Age: 5 Years | Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co.Production & HeritageJames B. Beam Distilling Co. traces its roots to 1795 and eight generations of the Beam family. Clermont Steep represents the distillery's first foray into American single malt, using a mashbill of 80% standard distiller's malt and 20% Vienna malt—100% malted barley, a deliberate departure from Beam's corn-heavy bourbon tradition. The spirit is fermented with the proprietary Beam family jug yeast, the same strain that has anchored their bourbon program for decades, then aged five years in new American oak barrels charred to a light level-1 char. That shallow char allows the grain character to remain front and center rather than being overwhelmed by heavy caramelization.Tasting NotesAroma: Honey leads, followed by a distinctive Graham cracker sweetness and toasted oak. Deeper exploration reveals caramel, vanilla biscotti, and a faint grassy-hay overlay from the Vienna malt.Taste: The entry is notably creamy, with warm toffee sweetness and a bready, almost shortbread-like quality that distinguishes it from grain-forward bourbons. Mid-palate, black pepper and toasted oak emerge alongside butterscotch and dried apricot. White pepper spice intensifies toward the peak, adding welcome tension.Finish: Long and decidedly peppery, with lingering toasted oak and a dry cereal-grain echo. This is not a whiskey that fades quietly—the spice carries well beyond the last sip and rewards patient attention.How to Drink Clermont SteepNeat at room temperature is the most revealing serve; the creamy texture and Vienna malt breadiness are best appreciated without dilution, though a few drops of water tame the pepper and open the honey notes. At 94 proof, it also holds its structure in cocktails. Highball: The bready malt character and lighter char profile pair naturally with chilled soda water and a lemon twist, producing a refreshing long drink. Rob Roy: Substituting Clermont Steep for Scotch in a Rob Roy brings an American twist, with the butterscotch and pepper standing up well against sweet vermouth. Penicillin (variation): The honey and cereal-grain backbone mirrors the role single malt plays in this modern classic, with ginger and lemon amplifying the dried-apricot note. Best For Bourbon drinkers exploring the American single malt category for the first time Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values distillery heritage and experimental production Side-by-side tastings comparing American and Scottish single malts Adding a grain-forward, lower-char option to a home whiskey collection Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Clermont Steep taste like? Clermont Steep leads with a creamy, toffee-sweet palate and a distinctive bready character from its Vienna malt component, finishing with a long, assertive black pepper spice and toasted oak.How does Clermont Steep compare to Westland American Single Malt? Both are 100% malted barley American single malts, but Westland (based in Seattle) tends toward fruit-forward and maritime-influenced profiles, while Clermont Steep leans into bready sweetness and Kentucky oak spice thanks to its Vienna malt mashbill and Beam family jug yeast fermentation. Clermont Steep is also aged exclusively in new American oak, whereas Westland uses a mix of new and used cooperage.Is Clermont Steep good for sipping neat? Yes—its creamy texture and moderate 47% ABV make it approachable neat, though the peppery finish is assertive enough that newcomers to higher-proof whiskey may prefer a splash of water.Where is Clermont Steep made? Clermont Steep is distilled and aged at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, a facility that has operated in Bullitt County's bourbon heartland since the late 18th century.What foods pair well with Clermont Steep? Smoked salmon, where the malt sweetness complements the brine; sharp aged cheddar, which mirrors the butterscotch notes; dark chocolate with sea salt to echo the pepper finish; roasted pork loin with an apricot glaze to extend the dried-fruit character; and warm pecan pie, which amplifies the toffee and toasted-oak backbone.What sizes does Clermont Steep come in? Clermont Steep Single Malt is available in the standard 750ml bottle.Is Clermont Steep worth the price? Clermont Steep positions as a mid-premium American single malt, and its five-year age statement, proprietary yeast fermentation, and unique Vienna malt mashbill provide genuine production-driven value in a category where many competitors are younger or carry no age statement.Why Clermont Steep?What separates Clermont Steep from the growing American single malt field is the depth of process behind it: Freddie Noe's testing of 67 barley varieties before settling on the 80/20 distiller's malt and Vienna malt blend is unusually rigorous for a first release. The decision to ferment with Beam's proprietary jug yeast—rather than a neutral distiller's yeast—threads a recognizable Beam DNA into an entirely new spirit category. Aged five years in lightly charred new American oak, the whiskey manages to keep its grain-forward identity intact while absorbing enough barrel influence to satisfy oak-loving palates. For anyone interested in where American single malt is headed, Clermont Steep represents one of the most well-resourced and deliberate entries to date.
