American still life : the Jim Beam story and the making of the world's number 1 bourbon

BThe untold story of the world's premier bourbon and the family that made it #1/b biAmerican Still Life/i/b 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. bF. Paul Pacult/b (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 iPlayboy, Wine and Spirits, Connoisseur, Whisky, Drink, Men's Journal, Cheers, Country Inns, Travel and Leisure, Bon Appetit, Decanter/i, and iFood and Wine/i. 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 iAmerica Drinks: History in a Glass/i.

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 Drinks: History in a Glass.

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 .

"Barrel proof and unfiltered! As usual Pacult has delved deep, and revealed many hitherto unknown facts about the Beams. Best of all, though, this is a fascinating, page-turning look into America's royal family of whiskey."
—Gary and Mardee Haidin Regan, authors of The Book of Bourbon
Publishers of ardentspirits.com

"With his 'Old Jake Beam Sour Mash,' Jacob Beam launched a whiskey dynasty. It's a superb story, and no one spins a great story better than F. Paul Pacult, America's most respected authority on distilled spirits."
—Robert Whitley, Wine & Spirits Columnist, Copley News Service

"This is a stellar piece of documented history written in a most accessible style. With legions of disciples, F. Paul Pacult is a legend in the making."
—Robert Plotkin, Spirits Author, BarMedia

"Highly regarded as America's preeminent authority on spirits, Paul Pacult relates a fascinating story of authentic pioneer and entrepreneurial endeavor, intertwined in a family saga spanning generations, all in the background of creating one of the most enduring and recognizable global brands, Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey. Pacult portrays figures larger than life up against the major events of our country's history, with a cast of characters and style that reads like a novel."
—David Talbot, Associate Publisher, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

"An epic American story told with passion and insight."
—Anthony Dias Blue, Wine & Spirits Editor, Bon Appétit

"In American Still Life, F. Paul Pacult - one of the world's foremost writers on the subject of spirits - chronicles the success of the Beam family business and the drink that became a permanent fixture of our culture. Always willing to innovate, but never willing to sacrifice the integrity of their product, the Beam family steered their brand through challenges that would sink the average business - the Civil War, Prohibition, two world wars, and today's fierce global competition. It's a story inextricably interwoven with America's rise to cultural and economic greatness and full of enlightening lessons for today's business leaders."--BOOK JACKET The foundations Jacob Beam : alcohol and immigrants and surviving in a harsh land David Beam and pre-Civil War Kentucky David M. Beam and the debris of war The dynasty Jim Beam and the making of a bourbon whiskey brand Jere and Carl Beam : Jim Beam bourbon steps onto the world stage Booker Noe : big man, small batch The other Beams : behind every good bourbon whiskey Finding a crown for the jewel Appendices : the bourbon whiskeys of Jim Beam brands. THE DISTILLED SPIRIT OF a nation epitomizes its people, its natural resources, and its commercial and political history. Chronicles the lives and successes of the Beam family, maker of Jim Beam bourbon whiskey.