Since 1795 (interrupted by Prohibition), seven generations of the Beam family have been involved in whiskey production for the company that produces the brand.

During the late 18th century, members of the Böhm family, who eventually changed the spelling of their surname to "Beam", emigrated from Germany and settled in Kentucky.

David M. Beam (1833–1913) in 1854 moved the distillery to Nelson County to capitalize on the growing network of railroad lines connecting states.

[3] James Beauregard Beam (1864–1947) managed the family business before and after Prohibition, rebuilding the distillery in 1933–1934 in Clermont, Kentucky, near his Bardstown home.

[2] T. Jeremiah Beam (1899–1977) started working at the Clear Springs distillery in 1913, later becoming the master distiller and overseeing operations at the new Clermont facility.

In 1987, Jim Beam purchased National Distillers, acquiring brands including Old Crow,[5] Bourbon de Luxe, Old Taylor, Old Grand-Dad, and Sunny Brook.

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (KEEC) released a statement via their official Facebook page stating the alcohol plume had reached 23 mi (37 km) between Owenton and Carrollton.

[14] The KEEC along with local and federal agencies used aeration to increase the oxygen levels in the water to prevent additional fish kill.

For example, Jim Beam's Black label was awarded a double gold medal at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

[17] Jim Beam Black also won a Gold Outstanding medal at the 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Jim Beam starts with water filtered naturally by the limestone shelf found in Central Kentucky.

[20][full citation needed] Jim Beam ages for at least four years, or twice as long as the government requires for a "straight" bourbon.

[21][22] Outside the United States, Beam Global Spirits & Wine has had a sales and distribution alliance with The Edrington Group since 2009.