Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2011

APPEARANCE/ Light honey. After 7 months open, the color deepens to honey. AROMA/ Sweetness, fruits, wood, a touch of caramel, pleasant alcohol presence, and some smokiness. FIRST SIP/ Smooth, light, sweet, with a hint of wood and a very subtle bitterness. TASTE/ Sweet wood, a little caramel and vanilla, a touch of apple. FINISH/ A slightly oily sensation that lingers smoothly, presenting sweetness, boldness, and richness. MT GLASS/ Sweetness, woodiness, caramel, pleasant. 86.6 proof. This is exceptionally smooth and delightful. It's wonderfully delicious, I'm struggling to find more words. Seven months of aging has enhanced the flavors, making it deeper, richer, and creamier. Bottle D33ts: Barreled on 8.25.2011, Barrel # 1230, Bottled on 9.16.2019, Barrel Days 2944. Be Kind, Be Generous, Be Real, Be Responsible!!! Cheers.

This bottle was barreled on 2/3/11 and bottled on 8/19/19, barrel # 1108... It's superior to the 2008 vintage I previously tried. Poured neat, the nose offers abundant caramel and butterscotch with oak and resin, plus a hint of stewed fruit. The palate is velvety smooth with rich caramel, heavy oak, anise, and spicy notes. Excellent flavor delivery with considerable depth. The finish is a standard dry barrel oak, but the sweet buttery notes persist, distinguishing it. While not exceptionally complex, it represents great value at the high $20s to low $30s for an age-stated single barrel bourbon. I plan to purchase another of this year's edition... 88/100... very impressed, the best EW I've had to date despite the lower proof. It will become a regular for me.

Nose - Subtle yet very clean. Some bright sugary notes, crisp apple flavors, pepper and cinnamon combine nicely, and a faint sweet tobacco lingers as it develops. Palate - Salted peanuts are prominent upfront, which I enjoy. It delivers substantial flavor for a lower proof. Mild cinnamon and vanilla spice complement the salty peanut and sweet spice. Finish - Essentially a much lighter version of the palate. Light but enjoyable for an 86 proof bourbon.

Considering it's an affordable single barrel, Evan Williams single barrel (2011) is quite enjoyable for sipping. My encounters with single barrels, though admittedly limited, can be inconsistent. This particular year seems to be a good one. This drink has a light mouthfeel with distinct oakiness and a sweet, candied peppery finish. I suggest trying a bottle if you haven't already. Again, for a single barrel priced under $30, it offers good value.

Duplicate entry from the non-vintage section. Sampled from the bottle neat in a Glencairn at home. Filled 1-5-11, barrel 3, emptied 11-13-18. The aroma is smooth caramel and butterscotch with some overripe apples. Wonderful. The palate brings oak and spice into play, but the caramel remains as a solid foundation. Truly enjoyable, with a very pleasing sweet finish accented by a slight warmth. Very nice. 6/8/19

Comparison of an older 2010 bottle with the 2011 version. Nose: Mellow, with notes of corn, some spice, and toffee. Taste: Sweetness with a slightly sour touch, rye spices appear and disappear. The finish leaves a lasting oak presence, some apple, and a pleasant warmth - delightful! While my 2010 bottle may be slightly oxidized, I believe the 2011 is ultimately sweeter, spicier, and superior. The 2010 was smooth from the moment it was opened, but the 2011 offers wonderful spice notes.