Jim Beam’s standard Bourbon is already decent for the price, serving use as the alcohol to mix with coke and 7up/citrus drinks, as well as anything fruity or fizzy like peach or club soda. But Jim Beam takes it a step up with Jim Beam Black, which is aged to a minimum of 7 years, 3 years longer than the 4 years for the standard bourbon. Almost any whiskey aged longer becomes smoother and more mellow.