Evan Williams 1783 Bourbon (80 Proof)

While preparing another review, I noted that I hadn't yet reviewed this particular bourbon. Being particular, I must mention its 90 proof. Every Wednesday evening, three of us gather, rotating houses, and share a bourbon. Sometimes it's something new, but at one house, this is always present. This spirit is widely available, inexpensive, and surpasses many craft spirits hitting the market at three times the price. Yes, it's a standard offering from its distillery, but that's not a negative. I compare it to a younger version of another well-known bourbon. A large amount of butterscotch leads the sweetness, with candy corn underneath. It's not overly complex, as the 90 proof allows for good nose and flavor while keeping the alcohol subtle. I truly enjoy the palate; it echoes the flavors of cracker jacks. Candied caramel corn with peanuts that compel another sip. The finish is somewhat sudden, but one can't expect perfection. I acknowledge my predisposition towards its distillery, so take this review with that in mind. While not always in my personal collection, two or three of its relatives are.

Honey orange hue, not excessively viscous. The initial aroma is of wood lacquer, with a sawdust sensation in the nose. Pool chlorine. Fennel, pumpernickel rye, caraway seeds. Some black pepper notes with a saline/salty balance. Toasted molasses. Elmer's glue. The taste initially presents as classic Kentucky bourbon: finished oak, peanut, corn syrup. This is followed by a distinct sourdough bread/yeast character, likely from its sour mash process. When swished, caramel competes with some peppery rye-like elements. The finish features black pepper and seeded rye bread. Toffee and caramel. More of that sourdough yeast. Dried brown leaves. At the very end, a distinct tannic pucker adds a dynamic quality to the finish. This is a very affordable, quite pleasant, and versatile Kentucky bourbon that performs best served on the rocks or in your preferred bourbon cocktail. It's spicy, woody, and sweet, with a pleasing dry, tannic finish.

This is actually 86 proof, not 80 as listed. The extra alcohol content makes it feel significantly smoother than expected. The aroma is pleasant, bourbon-like and woody with a noticeable alcohol scent, but the initial taste is harsh and very oaky. Following that, a sweet corn flavor emerges, possibly from the "sour mash" process. I'm searching for other taste elements beyond the general burn and tanginess, maybe faint cinnamon, but that's it. 1783 "small batch" works well for parties or mixing, like in punch, with Coke, or to enhance eggnog. I appreciate that aspect. However, it's not ideal for drinking straight if you're looking for a mellow experience.

I accidentally erased this review, but I believe I stated that this bottle is uninteresting and seems like a gimmick. It has a random year, a meaningless "small batch" designation, and a generic bottle shape. However, the contents are actually quite good. It possesses all the typical bourbon flavors, but don't examine the bottle too closely for details. There's nothing to read.

I didn't detect a significant difference compared to the white label 100 proof, possibly due to being slightly diluted. It's a budget-friendly brand overall. Therefore, if this is their top offering, you might be better off with two bottles of the less expensive option. This way, it lasts longer. You can sip it, mix it, enjoy it on the rocks, and still have a good evening. Pair it with a cigar and unwind.

Evan Williams 1783: sweet caramel, vanilla, sugar, smooth with banana in the finish An ice cube brought out wine-like notes on the tongue I must try this again because I was inexperienced when I first sampled it. The date of this review is from a few years ago. I'm only posting it now. I do recall it being solid but still a bit young.