Evan Williams Green Label

I believe it's important to discuss our default bourbon. We can't all afford top-shelf bourbon constantly. So, if you're like me, you have a go-to, inexpensive bourbon for most occasions. For me, Evan Williams green label fits that role. I've rated this slightly higher than its flavor profile might warrant, but at around $20 for a 1.75L, it's a solid, decent everyday bourbon. This bourbon has some bite, so I prefer it over ice to mellow it and reveal more flavor. Initial notes are smoky, with considerable sweetness. This is somewhat obscured by the ethanol taste when served neat but truly stands out when softened with the right amount of water. For what some consider a low-end bourbon, it has a surprisingly rich flavor profile. With undertones of clove and tobacco, and overtones of wood and herbs that I haven't yet identified. I highly recommend this as a regular home bourbon.

The green label is fitting as I'd call this bourbon 'green' – lacking age, with grassy notes, and not the bourbon character I seek. It's overly tart/sour with the sweetness. I haven't mixed it yet, but it seems thin. I've heard others call this green label smooth, but for an 80-proof bourbon, I don't find it particularly smooth; it's just thin. If I'm choosing an affordable 80-proof option, I'll stick with Benchmark, which offers the flavors I enjoy (caramel, vanilla, tobacco, leather) and I find to be much smoother.

I tried this at an open bar because they had no other options; it was okay, not great, so I gave it 2.5 stars. However, after realizing the low price, I have to change it to 3.5. For the cost, this bourbon is very good. Some sour notes make it a bit different, but not in a bad way, and a light sweetness follows to balance it. I wouldn't buy it for my home bar, but I would recommend the 1.75L bottle to share with friends around a campfire on a camping trip. P.S. After trying this in 2018, I bought the single barrel vintage year 2010; it's definitely a great value pick for the home bar.

Nose: Sugary, slightly fruity, a touch of oak spice, and a faint smell like insect repellent. Palate: A whisper of bananas, sweet. Finish: Brief, peppery, with some sweetness that remains. You have to really concentrate to detect much scent from this. The flavor disappears quickly and lacks depth. It's quite unremarkable. While nothing about it is unpleasant, it's not particularly engaging. It's inexpensive, but the black label from the same maker is also cheap, and although not amazing, it's more interesting and enjoyable.

Tried this for the first time tonight. Honestly, it's very similar to the basic Jack Daniels whiskey; it has a strong scent of bananas and sugar. The palate is much sweeter than Jack Daniels, which isn't too bad if you're mixing it. Overall, not too disappointing, it's definitely better than Early Times. It's pretty average and definitely works for basic mixed drinks. I'd rate it around a 5.5/10. There are much better options, and there are also much worse.

This bourbon is truly awful. For a bottle costing less than $10, expectations are low, but one could still expect better. The term "green" fits, as the finish resembles unripe or underdeveloped wine. It's yeasty and unpleasant. You'd do well to pay a bit more for Evan Williams black label, which is likely what you were aiming for when you mistakenly bought the green.