Skip to main content

Need Bourbon? This Jim Beam Smart Decanter Will Pour It for You (for Six Months)

Jim Beam | "JIM," The World's First Intelligent Bourbon Decanter
It is 2017, and we have reached the apex of “smart” technology, it seems. Sure, we’ll probably go further — until the apes take over, obviously — but do we really want to go past a decanter that pours whiskey for you?

Jim Beam, who have already dipped into the “smart” technology field with their Apple Watch — the smart part about it? It allows you to have a shot glass attached to your wrist at all times — are back with JIM, a “smart” decanter that literally pours you a shot of bourbon when you want it.

JIM, the “World’s first intelligent bourbon decanter,” is voiced by seventh-generation distiller Fred Noe and lives to serve a sole purpose: pouring bourbon. As you can see in the video, you can ask it questions, but JIM won’t necessarily have the answers. Unless, of course, your question is “Can you pour me a shot of bourbon?”

jim beam decantor
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“At Jim Beam, we’re in the business of evolving the way people drink delicious bourbon,” Noe said in a statement. “For decades, we produced unique limited-edition decanters that are now collectors’ items. And now, we’re introducing a smart decanter that lets fans enjoy their bourbon on demand with friends and family.”

In case you were questioning, yes this does seem to be an actual product and according to the website, the pre-orders will arrive by December 15.

The decanter does not come with any bourbon inside it, but even if you don’t want the regular Jim Beam, there are plenty of options available to you. There’s Booker’s Bourbon (of course), Knob Creek, and the newest Jim Beam release from Fred Noe’s son Freddie, Little Book. Nothing will stop you from filling the decanter with any of them (hell, JIM would probably appreciate it).

JIM sells for $34.95. At the moment, the pre-order is sold out, but the company says they are expecting to have more available soon. They will be available on the Jim Beam website. It should be noted, though, that the 3G capabilities, which would allow you to speak to JIM, will only last for six months. After that, the website says, it reverts back to a regular old decanter (which still isn’t the worst thing in the world).

Editors' Recommendations

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Cocktail classics: the Negroni and its millions of variations
Negroni

Of all the classic cocktails that are well-known in bars across the world, one stands out for being both complex fascinating to drink, but also incredibly easy to make: the negroni. This beloved cocktail from Italy consists of equal parts of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, and it doesn't even need to be shaken. Traditionally made in a mixing glass, where it is stirred with ice to add water, in practice you can even add the ingredients to a tumbler glass with a large ice cube and stir it in the glass. That isn't really the technically correct way to make the drink, but it works well enough and means that you can make this cocktail with practically no equipment whatsoever.
The negroni is popular for its intense, bitter flavors and its bright red color, both of which come from the Campari. But the addition of gin gives the drink that heavy, boozy note with plenty of spicy juniper, and the sweet vermouth adds a touch of sweetness and more herbal notes. The result is a drink which packs an incredible flavor punch, and which tends to be either loved or hated (mostly depending on how you feel about Campari).
Thanks to its simplicity, the negroni lends itself to endless variations. While in truth I think it's hard to beat the classic version of this cocktail, if you're a long-time negroni drinker and you're looking to try something new – or maybe even if you're not a fan of the classic negroni but are interested in finding a version which does work for you – then we've got suggestions on some of the many variations you can try.

Experimenting with gins

Read more
Gose-style beers are perfect for spring, and these are our favorites
This salty, tart, sour beer is perfect for spring.
Gose beer

As we mentioned in an earlier post, the Gose style might be the best beer choice for spring and summer drinking. This wheat beer is top-fermented and gets a second fermentation with lactobacillus bacteria. This gives it a tart, sour flavor profile similar to your favorite sour ale. The addition of coriander and sea salt adds some spice and salinity to this very unique, refreshing beer.

On top of that, this tart, salty thirst-quencher is usually between 4-5% ABV. This results in a crushable, salty, crisp beer you won’t be able to put down even between horseshoe throws or cornhole turns.
A strange, salty history

Read more
This is how to make a proper Moscow Mule
It's the classic cocktail in a copper mug, and we're going to show you how to make a Moscow Mule
Moscow Mule with a bowl of limes

You know you've made it as a cocktail when one of the most popular ready-to-drink options is made in your name. That's the case with the Moscow Mule cocktail, the classic mix of vodka and ginger beer, preferably in a copper mug.

Here are some pro tips to keep in mind. First, select a quality vodka. The flavor may be mostly buried in the rest of the drink, but you're still after smoothness. In terms of ginger, go with a proper ginger beer instead of ginger ale. The latter is far too sweet. If you're really feeling intrepid, do as Death & Co. does below and make your own ginger syrup to couple with club soda. You'll be amazed at how much more pronounced the ginger qualities are when going this route.

Read more