Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey
Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey is James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s first American single malt — a 94 proof (47% ABV) 750mL bottle, aged 5 years and developed by Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Master Distiller. The recipe is 100% American malted barley, distilled in a column still and fermented with the Beam family's signature jug yeast, then matured in bespoke barrels that are toasted and flash-charred to a light char level 1 — toffee sweetness from the toast without overshadowing the bready barley character. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 94 proof (47% ABV) — 750mL
- Age: 5 years
- Mash bill: 100% American malted barley; column-still distilled, Beam family jug yeast
- Cask: new American oak, toasted then flash-charred to char level 1
- Origin: distilled and aged in Clermont, Kentucky — James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Beam Goes Single Malt
Released in June 2023, Clermont Steep is the Beam family's entry into the then-undefined American single malt category — Freddie Noe even developed the company's own production guidelines for it. The bespoke barrel regime is the key decision: a light toast-and-flash-char (char level 1) delivers toffee and malt sweetness while keeping the American-barley character front and center. Explore more American craft from Clermont Steep or browse Del Mesa's whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Bready malt, toffee, and honey up front, with light oak spice and a clean, malty finish — reviewers have scored it in the 88–92 range (Drinkhacker 88, The Whiskey Wash 92, Breaking Bourbon 88, The Daily Pour 89).
How to Enjoy
Neat in a Glencairn to catch the barley character. It's also an excellent gateway pour for Scotch drinkers curious about American single malt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clermont Steep?
The American single malt brand from James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky — 100% American malted barley, developed by Freddie Noe.
What is the proof?
94 proof (47% ABV). Note: one retailer page typo'd it as 92 — the official spec is 94.
How is it aged?
5 years in new American oak barrels that are toasted then flash-charred to a light char level 1.
Beam's first American single malt — find Clermont Steep on the shelf at Del Mesa Liquor and order online, San Diego, CA.