Jim Beam Bourbon can trace its origins to the beginnings of the country itself. Jacob Beam, who had come to the American colonies in 1752 and had moved to Kentucky in 1788, began selling whiskey in 1795, at a time when farmer-distillers were the norm around the fledgling nation. Jacob used a mash of corn, rye and malt and called his product "bourbon" after Bourbon County, Kentucky. He passed on the bourbon-making tradition to his son, David, who was then followed by his son, David M. This third generation Beam moved the distillery in 1854 to Nelson County Kentucky to be closer to the state's first railroad. It was Jacob's great-grandson however, James B. Beam, who would give his name to the smooth tasting Kentucky Bourbon: Jim Beam.

James B. Beam was born in 1864 and remained an active part of the James B. Beam Distilling Company well into the 20th century. Today Jim Beam Bourbon is distilled by James B. Beam's grandson, the sixth generation master distiller. Jim Beam Bourbon still uses the same vintage yeast strain that Jim Beam created in 1934. A subtle bourbon, Jim Beam is "distinctive not because it is different, but because it is perfect."

Now, Jim Beam Kentucky Bourbon and the classic looks of a vintage 1948 GMC truck come together in an exciting die-cast replica. Your Jim Beam 1948 GMC COE is produced by - and available only from - Matchbox Collectibles.

(1999)

Scale: 1:55