Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon: Everything You Need to Know About 5x “Whiskey of the Year”
The Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon is one of several expressions in the Evan Williams lineup from Heaven Hill Distillery. For this Evan Williams review however, we will focus on the Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Moreover, this is the only vintage dated single barrel bourbon on the market currently.
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The Evan Williams whiskey brand has been been produced since 1957, when it was introduce as the modern offering we associated it as today. However, the man Evan Williams is suggested to began his distilling career in 1873. Bourbon historians aren’t necessarily in agreement with that claim however, but some of the bottles wear the badge nonetheless. Regardless, in whiskey years that’s certainly a newcomer in terms of bourbon status. However, it has already racked up many awards, including five “Whiskey of the Year” honors, and developed a devoted following.
In a similar fashion to the way vintage wines are selected, the master distillers at Heaven Hill Distillery handpick honey barrels that meet the specifications they’re targeting. The bottle’s label will be marked with its vintage date when it was put into the oak barrel, the year it was bottled, and the precise barrel number it was drawn from.
Through its history, EWSB bourbon has experienced several small changes from time to time. The single barrel expression could be slightly unique to the next, however they are typically 7-8 years in age. That age statement has lowered slightly over the last few years with bourbon demand skyrocketing, where Vintage Single Barrels could range closer to 10-year age statements.
Evan Williams Single Barrel Review & Tasting Notes
Single barrel bourbons have been all the hype for quite some time, well before the recent trends of full proofs or finished whiskies. Colonel Blanton was onto that well before the Taters entered the scene. Initially, that was part of the appeal of Eagle Rare as well, however they have since removed the distinction from the label due to high-speed bottling automation.
Nonetheless, part of its uniqueness is brand positioning and value, not necessarily on flavor profile. It gives folks an opportunity to experience the technique, without spending a lot of money on entering the space. Think of it as one of the more mass produced single barrel bourbons on the market, and it’s one heck of a value at that.
Nonetheless, it’s commonly viewed as an easy go-to daily sipper for anyone, with its 86 proof rating. For some whiskey lovers, it’s also a point of contention for what is deemed as “too low.” Typically, complex notes in the flavor profile come alive in higher proofing, say 93 proof and above. Therefore, its subtlety can also seem mundane to more adventurous and experimental bourbon lovers over time.
With the age statement decreasing over the years, some bourbon enthusiasts go so far as to suggest that its quality has degraded over time. One could argue however, perhaps it was simply a gateway bourbon all along?
Regardless, with numerous medals and awards, it’s hard to discount the value of this expression. With five “Whiskey of the Year” awards, this is a common staple in most whiskey enthusiasts bar cart. It is more easily accessible relative to a lot of allocated bourbons, a bargain, and an all-purpose winner.
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Color
Delicate amber gold
Nose
Aroma: The nose of this 7-8-year bourbon is dark caramel, sweet oak and charred wood.
Palate
Taste: The taste is lush and spicy, oak with honey, apple and orange notes.
Finish
The finish on this bourbon is long, graceful and relaxed.
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Release & Availability
If you’re looking where to buy Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon, the answer if probably at your nearest favorite liquor store. With Heaven Hill Distillery being one of the largest holders of bourbon in the world, distribution and availability are widespread. Although it is generally released in the Spring if you want to be technical, it’s usually generally easy to find all year round.
So if you’re still asking where to buy Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage near me? You can buy this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey online through select retailers, nationwide retailers with brick and mortar liquor stores, and sometimes at the Heaven Hill gift shop in Bardstown, KY.
Nonetheless, this product is certainly distributed across all 50 states.
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Proof & ABV
At 86.6 proof, this bourbon is more mellow than some of the alternatives. The 86.6-proofing is the equivalent of 43.3% ABV, which makes for an easy sipping whiskey.
Mash Bill
The Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon utilizes a mash bill shared with other Evan Williams expressions at Heaven Hill Distillery. That ratio is 78% Corn, 12% Rye, 10% Malted Barley. However, it should be noted that even with the same mash bill, this is its own bourbon.
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MSRP & Secondary Price
The suggested Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage price for a 750ml offering is an approachable $27. Part of the popularity of this bourbon weighs on that price point. Partially due to its single barrel bourbon identification, that has helped to give it the appeal of value.
Moreover, due to the bourbon boom, there are increasingly less solid whiskeys at approachable prices. Even $30 bottles of Eagle Rare 10-year Bourbon, you can’t necessarily walk into a store and find it. If you do, it could just as easily be listed for $50 or more due to upward pressure from secondary market prices. That is not the case with this bourbon however, and that’s one of its best qualities.
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