Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2010

A low price point, and I suspect I know why. This glass bottle is quite uninspiring. If you are superficial, you won't purchase this. If you judge a book by its cover, you might be pleasantly surprised. Regarding the liquid within the unattractive container, it's more refined than unpolished. Let me try to capture it in one attempt: A cinnamon fruitcake and cornbread creation, wrapped in sun-dried leather strips dipped in honey, consumed with freshly carved oak chopsticks. Indeed. That's the experience. Anyone who claims otherwise is either dishonest or lacking in imagination. So, if you have already experienced that, meaning you've eaten cornbread prepared in that specific fashion, then this offers no new sensations unless you're aiming to gather every unappealing bottle from the Heaven Hill collection. Because, seriously, that glass bottle is unattractive.

Color: honey, light copper, great legs Nose: vanilla, butterscotch, hint of oak; very inviting Palate: light, minty, lots of vanilla, caramel, balanced oak undertone; as suggested by the nose Finish: moderate heat; fades fairly quickly, but lingers with wintergreen Good, but would be improved with more body and closer to 100 proof. It seems a bit diluted. The mint/wintergreen aftertaste is really appealing.

Sampled neat in a Glencairn glass at home. Distilled on 7-23-10, from barrel 49, and bottled on 11-27-17. The aroma has the caramel and butterscotch notes I enjoyed from the 2011 bottling, though less pronounced; significant oak is present, along with some warmth. The taste is oaky and spicy, with hints of citrus. A pleasant, lingering aftertaste; it drinks slightly warmer than its stated proof. Acceptable, although I prefer the 2011 version. Sampled on 6/9/19.

I would anticipate a single barrel to be at least 90 proof, but for approximately $30, this certainly offers enough complexity to genuinely enjoy. It’s an easy sipper that is smooth and delightful for any occasion. Mint is a recurring theme, with a good balance of sweetness. Medium finish. Overall a commendable pour! 7.9/10

A subtle medicinal hint on the nose. It's not unpleasant. In the mouth and during the finish, it's a very good bourbon. I nearly gave it a higher rating, but nothing truly sets it apart from a typical bourbon. Standard flavors like vanilla, spice, and some nuttiness are present, but all are unimpressive.

2010: Nose: struggling to detect much. Very smooth. My bottle might be overly oxidized. Some grains and young oak. Palate: abundant pleasant bright spices mingling with green apples and oakiness. Lingering spicy tingle finish.