It is holiday season and for many that calls for a sip or two of some of the world's great whiskeys: American bourbons.

In celebration of seven generations of distillers and more than 200 years of heritage and craftsmanship, Beam Global Spirits has released "The Distillers Series" limited edition bourbons. The limited edition will be available through January of 2009.

"The Distillers Series" celebrates more than 200 years of bourbon heritage and craftsmanship, just in time for the holidays and the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. Aged seven years to 90 proof, the company says the new recipe “offers a rich taste profile with a warm, lingering, mellow finish -- perfect for easy sipping.”

"The Distillers Series" bottle showcases key contributions from the seven generations of the Jim Beam family. Each premium bottle features high-quality direct printing, with photos of the distillers and a brief history of their accomplishments.

"As the only living distiller among the seven generations honored with 'The Distillers Series,' I work everyday to uphold the legacy we've created," stated Fred Noe. "These limited edition bottles are more than nice holiday gifts; they're the stories of my great-grandfathers and uncles. They're more than two centuries of history and tradition. And, more than anything, they're great bottles of bourbon."

The seven generations shown on "The Distiller Series" bottle include:

 Jacob Beam: Founder of the Jim Beam family of distillers, Jacob made a name for himself across the country with his Old Jake Beam Sour Mash, brought to market in 1795.

 David Beam: Youngest son of Jacob Beam, David adapted new techniques, including copper stills, to meet soaring demand for Old Jake Whiskey.

 David M. Beam: Known as the steady hand during the Civil War, David gambled 60 years of his family's legacy by dismantling the distillery formerly located in Washington County, Kentucky and rebuilding it in Nelson County by the Louisville and Nashville railroad. The gamble paid off, because with its newly acquired ability to ship product both north and south, The D.M. Beam Company gained a national following.

 James "Jim" Beauregard Beam: Jim Beam grew the family whiskey, now named Old Tub, to more than 10,000 barrels per year until Prohibition brought production to a halt. Following the repeal of Prohibition, at age 70, Jim and his son T. Jeremiah rebuilt the distillery by hand in 120 days. He shed the Old Tub name for Colonel James B. Beam, better known as Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which is still the name today.

 T. Jeremiah Beam: Following the repeal of Prohibition, T. Jeremiah was determined to expand the distillery and maintain the quality standards his family had set years before. Known throughout Kentucky as a bourbon fanatic, T. Jeremiah's reign represents a legendary and inspirational chapter in the Jim Beam history.

 Booker Noe: After more than 40 years of distilling, Booker increased production 12 times and created The Small Batch Bourbon Collection(R) straight from the barrel.

 Frederick "Fred" Booker Noe III: Fred is the seventh generation distiller of Jim Beam, and is carrying forward the family legacy today. Fred was added to the traditional Jim Beam bottle label in September 2007.

For more information on "The Distiller's Series" and Jim Beam bourbon whiskey go to: Beam Global Spirits & Wine